WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora finalizes a fight against #5 Chordale Booker for March on PBC on Prime Video in Las Vegas.
It’s an odd choice by Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs), but he’s been out of the ring for 10 months, after suffering an injury, and his attempts to get fights against Errol Spence Jr. and drafting Joey Spencer failed. He would have fought either, but was rejected by the World Boxing Organization.
A strategic choice
The 33-year-old Booker (23-1, 11 KOs) has operated under the radar of most fans during his nine-year pro career. He stepped up to world class against Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams and was knocked out in the first round on April 30, 2022.
Since then, Booker has returned to fighting lower-level opposition and has won his last six fights against obscure opposition. He’s ideal for Fundora to give him a sure win to get the rust out, but it’s obviously not a fight that will interest boxing fans. I don’t think he will care about that. Holding on to his belts is what is important.
Few people have heard of Booker because he’s fought lesser opposition, and he obviously fared poorly when trying to go up against top fighters in his first-round blowout loss to Ammo Williams.
Chordale Booker’s last six wins:
– Brian Damaian Chavez (14-6, 5 KOs)
– Greg Vendetti (23-6-1, 12 KOs)
– Julio de Jesus Rodriguez (27-8, 24 KOs)
– Nicolas Hernandez (28-8-3, 12 KOs)
– Daniel Aduku (15-7-1, 11 KOs)
– Angel Hernandez (17-18-3, 11 KOs)
There are many contenders that Fundora could fight in the Top 10 which would have been more attractive, but it would have been risky.
If Fundora hopes to hold onto his titles long enough for a big money fight against Terence Crawford or one of the other fighters, it makes sense to defend against the likes of Booker. Fundora can play it safe milking the two titles long enough for Turki Al-Sheikh to pay him a fortune to fight whoever he chooses on one of his shows.
WBO’s Top 10 Contenders
1. Xander Zayas
2. Charles Conwell
3. Josh Kelly
4. Jorge Garcia Perez
5. Chordale Booker
6. Ardreal Holmes
7. Israel Madrimov
8. Serhii Bohachuk
9. Nikita Tszyu
10. Jesus Ramos
Unified junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora and Chordale Booker are finalizing a March fight in Las Vegas, sources tell ESPN. Fight is expected to be streamed on Prime Video.
Booker has won six straight fights since a KO loss to Ammo Williams in 2022.
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) January 22, 2025
