LOS ANGELES – February 28, 2024 – Top super welterweight contender Sebastian Fundora and hard-hitting Serhii Bohachuk will meet for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, March 30, but it will be far from the first time they’ve shared a ring, as Fundora explained ahead of his opening bout on the PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“We used to spar Bohachuk all the time,” said Fundora. “I sparred him a lot before I faced Ve’Shawn Owens and the fight after that. We stopped sparring around 2019, maybe early 2020. Bohachuk and I have sparred thousands of rounds together. But that’s in the past, we’re both in different places now as fighters.
“It’s an honor to have shared so many rounds with him. I wouldn’t rather have my first world title fight against anybody else. He’s a come forward fighter who throws a lot. I know he might be stronger now, but that same aggressive style is what I see. My job is to show the difference between us on March 30.”
A native of Coachella, California, Fundora and his father and trainer Freddy have moved training camp up to the Tehachapi mountains in Southern California. Despite the change in scenery, little has changed for the close-knit team.
“We’re up in the mountains this time with the snow, rain and bears, but other than that it’s the same camp and same team that’s gotten us to this point,” said Fundora. “We’ve been getting great work here so far and we’re on track for March 30. For me, training camp is about doing what I’m told. It’s a small circle, and my dad is the leader of it all. If I get out of line, he’s right there to show us the better path.”
Fundora will return to the ring for the first time since suffering the first and only defeat of his pro career, via KO last April against Brian Mendoza. Ahead on all three cards at the time of the stoppage, Fundora explained how he was able to move on quickly from the defeat and while there are some changes that have been made, his signature all-action style remains.
“The next day after the loss we went hunting,” said Fundora. “My dad told me not to worry about it too much. As fast as you go up in this sport, you can go down. I took maybe a month off to enjoy myself, but then I was right back into camp. We took more of a ‘washing the hands’ type of approach to the loss. All you’re really going to see from going back is the knockout. During the fight, I know I was ahead, but it went the way it went. So you have to throw it all out and move on.
“I’m a more mature Towering Inferno, but fans can expect a show like always. I don’t plan on taking that out of my game. But overall it’s going to be the best Sebastian Fundora.”
As he heads into March 30, Fundora will look to become the second world champion in his family, after his younger sister Gabriela captured the IBF Flyweight World Championship last October. For the elder son, he believes it’s an opportunity to stamp the legacy of his father’s training talent.
“It’s a blessing to be in this position. My sister just won a title, so it’s time for me to catch up,” said Fundora. “It’s my turn and I’m happy that if everything goes right, my father will have two world champions. It shows how good of a coach he is, even if he likes to stay behind the scenes. It shows us that we’re the real deal.”
With a win against Bohachuk, Fundora will be in line for a potential unification opportunity against reigning WBO 154-pound World Champion Tim Tszyu, who competes in the March 30 main event. A possible clash between the two would pit two action fighters, and perhaps the top two fighters overall currently campaigning in the division, against each other.
“Of course I’d want to face Tim Tszyu next if we both win,” said Fundora. “He’s the number one guy in the division and I’d be right under him after my fight. I want that fight and I’ll be waiting for it.”
Tickets for the live event on March 30, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are available now through AXS.com. The main event is promoted in association with No Limit Boxing.
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ABOUT THURMAN VS. TSZYU & ROLLY VS. PITBULL
The stacked inaugural four-fight PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video is topped by two-time world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman dueling rising star and reigning world champion Tim Tszyu in the main event plus 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz meeting in the co-main event on Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The pay-per-view will also see Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defend his belt against No. 1 rated mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa, plus all-action super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will meet fast-charging contender Serhii Bohachuk for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship in the pay-per-view opener.
The card marks the debut event for PBC Pay-Per-View available through Prime Video since the parties announced a landmark, multiyear rights agreement in December. In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #ThurmanTszyu and #RollyPitbull, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions
