Fundora-Thurman Showdown Scrapped as Fundora Hand Injury Forces Postponement

LAS VEGAS – The highly anticipated October 25th pay-per-view boxing event, featuring WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian "The Towering Inferno" Fundora and former two-time welterweight titleholder Keith "One Time" Thurman, has been postponed due to a hand injury sustained by Fundora during a sparring session. Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) officially announced the postponement on Friday, confirming earlier reports from Mike Coppinger of The Ring.

The event, initially slated to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, was to showcase Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) in his first defense since his upset victory over Tim Tszyu, while marking another significant step in Thurman’s comeback trail. A new date for the event has not yet been determined, according to PBC.

Fundora’s withdrawal marks a setback for both fighters, particularly Thurman, who has faced numerous delays and cancellations in recent years. The injury also impacts the undercard, specifically the WBC super featherweight title bout between champion O’Shaquie Foster and former unified super bantamweight titleholder Stephen Fulton Jr., which was slated to serve as the co-main event.

The specific nature of Fundora’s hand injury has not been disclosed beyond PBC’s description of it as a contusion suffered during sparring. Hand injuries are a common occurrence in boxing, often resulting from the repetitive impact of punches on the bones and soft tissues of the hand. Depending on the severity, such injuries can sideline fighters for weeks or even months.

Fundora’s rise to prominence in the 154-pound division has been marked by his unorthodox style and exceptional height for the weight class. Standing at 6 feet 5 1/2 inches, the Coachella, California, native utilizes his reach and relentless pressure to overwhelm opponents. His victory over Tszyu in March solidified his position as a top contender and a must-see attraction.

Prior to the Tszyu fight, Fundora was initially scheduled to face him on the undercard of Thurman vs. Tszyu, but stepped in as a late replacement when Thurman withdrew due to a bicep injury. In an unexpected turn, Fundora defeated Tszyu by split decision, winning the WBO and WBC interim light middleweight titles in a fight that earned Fight of the Year consideration from numerous boxing publications.

Following the Tszyu victory, Fundora made a quick turnaround, stopping Chordale Booker inside two rounds in March. He then vacated his WBO title to grant Tszyu a rematch, which took place in August. Fundora again emerged victorious, securing a TKO victory after Tszyu’s corner stopped the fight after the seventh round. This win further cemented Fundora’s status as the unified junior middleweight champion.

For Keith Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs), the postponement represents another hurdle in his attempt to reclaim his position as a dominant force in the welterweight division, a journey that has been plagued by inactivity and injuries. Thurman, who turns 37 in November, has fought sparingly in recent years, competing only twice in the past six years.

After reigning as the WBA and WBC welterweight champion, Thurman’s career trajectory was derailed by injuries and a shocking split decision loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2019. He would later reveal that he was experiencing pain due to bone spurs in his right elbow. In 2022, Thurman returned to the ring after a nearly three-year layoff, defeating former title challenger Mario Barrios by unanimous decision in a pay-per-view headliner.

His planned comeback fight against Tszyu earlier this year was viewed as a significant opportunity for Thurman to prove he could still compete at the highest level. However, his withdrawal due to injury and Fundora’s subsequent victory over Tszyu altered the landscape of the division. The now-postponed fight against Fundora presented Thurman with a chance to challenge for a world title and re-establish himself as a major player.

Thurman’s camp had indicated that he was in peak condition for the Fundora fight, with the fighter himself expressing confidence in his ability to defeat the taller and younger champion. "I’m coming for that WBC belt," Thurman had stated in pre-fight interviews. "Fundora is a tough fighter, but I have the experience and the skills to beat him."

The postponement also impacts the co-main event featuring O’Shaquie Foster (22-2, 12 KOs) and Stephen Fulton Jr. (21-1, 8 KOs). Foster, the WBC super featherweight champion, was set to make his second title defense against Fulton, a former unified super bantamweight titleholder.

Foster captured the vacant WBC title in February 2023 with a dominant victory over Rey Vargas. He successfully defended the title against Eduardo Hernandez in October 2023, showcasing his boxing skills and punching power.

Fulton, known for his slick boxing ability and tactical prowess, was looking to become a two-division world champion. He previously held the WBO and WBC super bantamweight titles, defeating Brandon Figueroa and Angelo Leo to unify the division. However, he suffered his first professional defeat in July 2023, losing his titles to Naoya Inoue.

The Foster-Fulton bout was initially scheduled to be the co-feature of a proposed August 16th pay-per-view event headlined by a Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach Jr. rematch, which ultimately failed to materialize. The postponement of the Fundora-Thurman card leaves the future of the Foster-Fulton fight uncertain, although it is expected to be rescheduled alongside the main event.

The cancellation of major boxing events due to injury is not uncommon, highlighting the physical demands and inherent risks associated with the sport. Fighters often train rigorously for months leading up to a fight, pushing their bodies to the limit in preparation for the intense competition. This high-intensity training can lead to injuries, ranging from minor sprains and bruises to more serious conditions such as fractures and concussions.

PBC is currently working to reschedule the Fundora-Thurman event, but a definitive date has not yet been announced. The promotion is also exploring alternative options for both Fundora and Thurman, including potential matchups against other contenders in their respective weight divisions. The boxing community will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold and when these two prominent fighters will return to the ring. The injury serves as a stark reminder of the volatility of the sport and the challenges fighters face in their pursuit of glory.