LOS ANGELES – Sebastian Fundora smiled Friday when Sergio Garcia assured boxing fans that he won’t run Sunday night.
Fundora, a 6-feet-6 southpaw, is considered the bigger puncher, yet the Spanish contender intends to test his fellow undefeated fighter by getting inside on him. That type of bout seemingly favors Fundora, who appeared unconvinced during and after the Gervonta Davis-Isaac Cruz undercard press conference that Garcia will actually attempt to slug it out with him.
“I think it depends on the fight,” Fundora said of Showtime Pay-Per-View’s 12-round co-feature. “If he gives me the chance to display my skill and lasts as long as he can, then I’ll do it. But if the fight goes fast, like it usually does, then I’m just gonna do what I always do.”
Fundora (17-0-1, 12 KOs), of Coachella, California, has stopped veterans Nathaniel Gallimore, Habib Ahmed and Jorge Cota in the sixth, second and fourth rounds, respectively, in his past three fights. Garcia (33-0, 14 KOs), of Torrelavega, Spain, has won only one of his past eight bouts by knockout or technical knockout.
Whoever wins this 12-round WBC super welterweight elimination match must face Erickson Lubin (24-1, 17 KOs), the WBC’s number one challenger in the 154-pound division, in his following fight. With the stakes high on a high-profile flatform, a confident Fundora is ready to deliver another memorable performance.
“I guarantee you’ll get your money’s worth,” Fundora said. “This fight right here, this is gonna be the fight of the night, definitely. I guarantee you that.”
Caesars Sportsbook has listed Fundora as nearly a 3-1 favorite versus Garcia. The 29-year-old Garcia hasn’t fought in nearly a year, not since he stopped Gregory Trenel (then 12-5-2) in the sixth round of a scheduled 10-rounder last December 19 in Torrelavega.
Fundora assured Garcia he won’t have as easy a time Sunday night before Davis and Cruz clash in the 12-round main event for Davis’ WBA world lightweight title (8 p.m. ET; 5 p.m. PT; $74.99).
“If he’s willing to come inside or try to walk me down, whatever he says, you will definitely see what I always do,” Fundora said. “But it’s what he brings. If he boxes me, if he fights me, we’re ready for whatever.”
Garcia, 29, is ranked second among the WBC’s 154-pound contenders. Fundora, 23, is rated fourth by the WBC in that weight class.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.