Fundora-Thurman Clash in Las Vegas Postponed Due to Fundora Hand Injury

A highly anticipated pay-per-view event scheduled for October 25 in Las Vegas, featuring WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora against former two-time welterweight titleholder Keith Thurman, has been postponed due to a hand injury sustained by Fundora during a sparring session. Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) announced the postponement on Friday, confirming earlier reports regarding Fundora’s withdrawal.

The event, initially slated to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, will be rescheduled for a later date, according to PBC. The injury marks a significant setback for both fighters, particularly Thurman, who has been navigating a challenging comeback trail in recent years.

Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs), known as the "Towering Inferno" due to his imposing 6-foot-5 ½ frame, suffered a contusion to his hand during a sparring session, rendering him unable to compete. The Coachella, California-based fighter had been enjoying a resurgence in 2024, following a period of relative inactivity after his unexpected victory over Tim Tszyu in March. In that bout, Fundora stepped in on short notice and secured a split decision win to unify titles at 154 pounds in a brutal, bloody encounter.

Following the Tszyu victory, Fundora returned to the ring in March, dispatching Chordale Booker within two rounds. He then vacated his WBO title to grant Tszyu a rematch, which ended in a TKO after Round 7 when Tszyu, visibly battered, was deemed unable to continue by his corner. The postponement deprives Fundora of the opportunity to build on this momentum and solidify his position as a leading figure in the junior middleweight division, one of boxing’s most competitive weight classes.

For Thurman, the postponement represents yet another obstacle in his efforts to regain his former status as one of boxing’s elite welterweights. The Florida native has struggled with injuries and inactivity in recent years, fighting just twice in the last six years. In March 2024, Thurman was initially scheduled to face Tszyu, but was forced to withdraw due to an injury, paving the way for Fundora to step in as a replacement.

Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs), who will turn 37 in November, returned to action in March after a three-year layoff, traveling to Australia to secure a third-round TKO victory over Brock Jarvis. However, his plans to finally face Tszyu were thwarted when Fundora was selected for the rematch, leaving Thurman sidelined once again.

Thurman’s career has been marked by periods of dominance interspersed with lengthy absences due to injury. After suffering his first professional defeat against Manny Pacquiao in 2019 via a split decision in a welterweight title bout, Thurman took nearly three years away from the ring. He made his return in 2022, outpointing former titleholder Mario Barrios in a pay-per-view headliner, demonstrating his enduring skill and resilience. However, his inability to secure consistent fights has hampered his efforts to reclaim a prominent position in the welterweight division.

The October 25 card, which was set to air on Prime Video pay-per-view, also included a co-main event featuring WBC super featherweight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster against two-division champion Stephen Fulton Jr. The postponement affects this bout as well, leaving both fighters in limbo. The Foster-Fulton Jr. fight had previously been slated as the co-feature to a proposed August 16 pay-per-view headlined by a Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach Jr. rematch, which ultimately did not materialize.

Foster (22-2, 13 KOs) won the vacant WBC super featherweight title in February 2023, defeating Rey Vargas by unanimous decision. He successfully defended the title in October 2023 with a twelfth-round knockout of Eduardo Hernandez. Fulton Jr. (21-1, 8 KOs) is a former unified super bantamweight champion, having previously held the WBO and WBC titles in that division. He moved up to super featherweight in an attempt to capture a title in a second weight class. Fulton Jr. is coming off a loss to Naoya Inoue in July 2023, where he lost his super bantamweight titles.

The postponement of the Fundora-Thurman card leaves boxing fans disappointed and raises questions about the future of both fighters. While Fundora’s injury is expected to heal, the setback could disrupt his momentum and potentially alter the landscape of the junior middleweight division. For Thurman, the postponement represents a further delay in his efforts to revitalize his career and prove that he can still compete at the highest level.

PBC has not yet announced a new date for the event, but the organization is expected to provide an update in the coming weeks. The rescheduling will likely depend on the severity of Fundora’s injury and the availability of both fighters and the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The situation also highlights the inherent risks associated with boxing training, where injuries can occur at any time and derail carefully laid plans. Sparring, in particular, is a crucial but often dangerous component of training camp, as fighters prepare for the rigors of a professional fight. While precautions are taken to minimize the risk of injury, the nature of the sport means that accidents can and do happen.

As boxing fans await news of a rescheduled date, the postponement serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport and the challenges faced by fighters as they strive to reach the pinnacle of their careers. The impact on both Fundora and Thurman’s careers remains to be seen, but the postponement undoubtedly represents a significant setback for both men. The sport now turns its attention to when and where this intriguing matchup can be salvaged, given the implications for the junior middleweight and welterweight divisions.