United two-like junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora is reportedly not to take part in this Friday’s bursary bursary for his mandate title defense against WBO shelters Xander Zayas.
Rather than doing so, Fundora (21-1-1, 14 COs) Tim Tszyu will encounter in a rematch, possibly on July 19 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The top rank-promoted #1 Zayas (21-0, 13 COs) will be selected on #2 Jorge Garcia Perez For the WBO Junior Middle Weight Belt.
This move gives Zayas his best opportunity to become a world champion. Top Rank tries to convert Zayas into an east coastal star despite its dull fighting style and a lack of power. He fights more like a larger version of Shakur Stevenson with the step-back move and a hit-and-not-hit style. He is nothing like former Puerto Rican stars, Felix Trinidad and Miguel Cotto.
Sidesping zayas
Lance Pugmire broke the news of Fundora who prefers not to take part in Friday’s wallet for the Zayas battle. The move by Fundora, 27, makes sense because there is more money in a fight with popular former WBO 154-pound champion Tszyu (25-2, 18 COs) in a rematch of Australian PPV as against 22-year-old Zayas, who is not a pay-per-view fighter.
Fundora upset Tszyu last year and decided on March 30 in Las Vegas with a 12-round decision to make the 12-round decision. Tim was cut off on his forehead of an accidental elbow of Fundora in the second round and fought with blood hiding his vision for the rest of the fight.
Before the cutting occurred, Tszyu lit power shots. After the injury, Tim’s efficiency decreased. A rematch will give Sebastian the chance to prove that his victory was not a wave.
Zayas’ battle with Perez (33-4, 26 COs) will not be easy for him because the Mexican puncher has power and push in combination. Perez recently upset unbeaten Charles Conwell by a 12-round split decision on April 19 in Oceanside, California.
Perez’s threat
Zayas does not have the offensive power or the ability to stand and fight perez in the way Conwell tried to do. What Puerto Rican fighter Zayas is likely to choose to do is to box and move, as he has in many of his fights.
Top Rank put Xander with the WBO with careful matchmaking in the #1 position, which kept him away from the dangerous contenders. They have Zayas in this position, but it is impossible to know if he is ready or even a good fighter.
His opposition was so flawed because he was linked to the way in which former Top fighter Edgar Berlanga was when he was with the company. All we can say is that Zayas has no power, he moves a lot, and he has not fought anyone noticeably to create his record of 21-0.
Last updated on 04/29/2025
