Sebastian Fundora continues to play the waiting game.
The 154-pound No 1 contender is scheduled to face Brian Mendoza on April 8 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California (Showtime).
If he wins, the 6-foot-6 “Towering Inferno” will remain in position to compete for the world title for the first time. He hopes to face the winner in a scheduled summer bout between undisputed champ Jermell Charlo and Tim Tszyu, even though he knows nothing is guaranteed in boxing.
“I feel like I’ve proven myself time and time again,” Fundora said. “We are waiting for our shot to fight for the title. They keep putting guys in front of me who they say will knock me down or expose me, but I keep proving them wrong.”
Mendoza (21-2, 15 KOs) seemed to have hit the ceiling when he lost one way to Jesus Ramos in September 2021.
However, last November, he caused an incredible disappointment when he stopped former defending champion unified champion Jeison Rosario in five innings. That gave him a chance at Fundora and the chance to be a real contender.
Fundora (20-0-1, 13 KOs) insists he doesn’t look down on the Albuquerque native.
Fundora said: “Everybody I have fought has been strongmen and Mendoza is a different person. “We will aim to win as always. … This war is as important as every other war before it. Mendoza is also a contender and we don’t take him lightly.
“We have to get past Mendoza if we want to think about fighting for the championship.”
If all goes well, he’ll be back to wait. He is only 25 years old; he has time.
“I was just building,” he said. “My dad and I had plans that we discussed and we talked about competing and fighting for a title at this age. Everything is being worked out. We are where we want to be and just looking forward to winning that title soon.
“We’ll have to see what he brings on April 8. I have to prove myself again. We both have chips on our shoulders. We want to be champions and we have to win on April 8 to do that.
“I feel like some people are trying to ignore me to [to fight] for the title, but I remain patient and focused on this fight. I just have to keep moving forward while everything else is worked out.”
