Ryan Hafey/PBC
Sebastian Fundora is days away from another WBC super welterweight title defense, and the champ is extremely confident ahead of his upcoming fight.
On October 17th, Fundora will face unbeaten mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj in a fight that airs free on TNT (and on DAZN) at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, part of TNT’s “The Fight” series.
We spoke to Fundora ahead of his fight to get his thoughts on fighting on TNT, his opponent, and potiential unification bouts against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis & Josh Kelly.
October 17, you’re making your title defense against Ermal Hadribeaj on TNT, in front of a big audience. How does that feel?
“I’m happy it’s free TV. Everybody in the United States can watch it, so it’s nice to have it.”
What are you up to? Are you still training in the mountains?
“Yeah, up in the mountains. It’s getting a little colder now, so I’m enjoying it. The sun’s still here, but winter’s coming. When the snow comes in, that’s when it’s the worst.”
You’ve been training in the mountains for a few years. Have you noticed a change in the ring because of that?
“Absolutely. Different mindset. Almost like you just have to break through everything. Everything’s an obstacle living here. So when you step into the ring and there are no obstacles, it’s just a walk in the park.”
You have an obstacle course out there. Is there one thing on it you hate doing?
“I hate all of it, man. It’s all hard. My dad made sure to make everything hard. We can do it, and we do it every day, but if these things were easy I probably wouldn’t be doing them. Why would I need to?”
Let’s talk about your opponent, Hadribeaj, the mandatory. He fought in MMA as well. What do you know about him, and what do you think he does that could cause you problems?
“Ability-wise, I see nothing really. But he’s still undefeated and he still wants to win. That’s the only thing that gives him a chance — he wants to win, he only knows how to win. Other than that, I see nothing else.”
You have a knockout streak going. Do you plan to keep that going in this fight?
“Absolutely. I have to. I think it’s entertaining for the fans. They want to see stuff like that. Basketball has slam dunks, football has touchdowns, boxing has knockouts, and I want to continue that.”
You’ve been champion for a bit and you’re a big favorite. Does that come with different pressure?
“Maybe before, but now you get used to it. You get used to everybody being there to watch you. It’s like waking up, going to the bathroom, and brushing my teeth. It just becomes routine.”
You’re on a win streak. You lost to Mendoza a few years ago. What changed after that fight?
“Maturity. A lot of maturity. Spending time with my dad in the gym, learning things, paying attention more — where I should have been always. Listening better.”
What have you learned the most since then?
“To listen. To listen right there and then. It’s not, ‘Okay, I’ll do this later.’ You have to listen right there and then.”
You announced you were going to Harvard. Are you studying right now?
“I’ve been focused on boxing. There’s so much going on in boxing right now. School’s always going to be there. Boxing’s not. Right now I’m just focused on boxing. We have these championship fights. Next year should be a very promising year for us after we win this fight. That’s what we’re focused on.”
Talking about next year — do you want to unify? There’s Ennis, there’s Kelly. Is there one you prefer first, or does it matter?
“It’s whoever may come. But next year, definitely, there’s going to be some unifications.”
There have been issues making these fights. Are you optimistic they’ll get done next year?
“Very optimistic, because we’re all fighting on DAZN now too. I feel like there’s no issue now. It’s just sign a contract.”
Are you pursuing those fights, or do you think everybody just wants them to happen?
“Of course we’re pursuing them. I think everybody wants those fights, including the fighters themselves. So it’s very realistic for next year.”
You’re headlining this card, one of the faces of PBC, headlining on TNT. What does that feel like?
“I’m very grateful. We have some big names on this card — Figueroa, Charlo. To be headlining with those names in there, I’m very grateful. But it’s well deserved too, because we are a reigning world champion. And when you think of boxing, you do think of Fundora.”
This is on TNT, so a lot of casual viewers will be tuning in, some seeing you for the first time. What can they expect?
“Expect the best. Expect blood. Expect explosions. It’s going to be a great night of boxing.”
Any prediction?
“Me winning. I plan on continuing this win streak and knockout streak. We’ve got three in a row. We’re going to try to get the fourth in October.”