Sebastian Fundora Targeting Josh Kelly for June Unification Bout
Reigning WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora is quickly establishing himself as a dominant force in the 154-pound division. His next move could see him in a high-stakes summer unification bout against IBF title holder Josh “Pretty Boy” Kelly.
Fundora (24-1-1, 16 KOs) is coming off an emphatic sixth-round stoppage victory over former unified welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman on March 28. Many acknowledge that Thurman is no longer at his peak. Still, Fundora’s performance was undeniably impressive, as he broke him down with precision and ease. With momentum firmly on his side, the question now turns to what’s next.
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Strong indications suggest that Team Fundora is targeting another title to further solidify his standing atop the division. In an exclusive interview with Ring Magazine, Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, expressed confidence in a potential clash with Kelly:
“I believe this fight will be made. It depends on where it will be and the strength of the offer. It’s a great fight for the fighters, to unify the titles, and the fans across the U.S. and the UK, too.”
Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs) captured the IBF crown in his most recent outing – earning a majority decision victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev on January 31. Following that win, the British fighter made it clear that he is ready to face the best the division has to offer.
An intriguing wrinkle in the situation is the timing. Lewkowicz is reportedly targeting June 27 for the potential unification bout—the same date as unified champion Xander Zayas’ scheduled title defense against Jaron “Boots” Ennis at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This raises the possibility that Fundora vs Kelly could land overseas, perhaps in Kelly’s home country of England.
Fundora’s stock continues to rise, and he is increasingly viewed as a central figure in the division. Meanwhile, Kelly has a prime opportunity to prove he belongs among the elite at 154 pounds.
On paper, Fundora versus Kelly is a compelling matchup with meaningful stakes. Now, it’s up to negotiations to determine whether this intriguing unification fight becomes a reality.
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