Sebastian Fundora Forces Team Lubin to Wave the White Flag!
In their latest at bat, top super welterweight contender Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (24-1, 17 KO’s) was pit against Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (18-0-1, 12 KO’s). The two waged war on one another in the desert belly of the Virgin Hotel located in Las Vegas, Nevada in a high stakes “do-or-die” match.
Hanging in the balance was the interim WBC super welterweight title which would provide a direct pipeline to a shot at the soon-to-be undisputed super welterweight champion. To his great chagrin, Lubin was battered and beaten severely enough for his own corner to stop the fight in the ninth.
HAMMER TIME!
Coming into the bout, Lubin was riding high on a six-fight win streak in five years since suffering his sole professional defeat to the now unified champion Jermell Charlo. Amongst those wins, the Hammer ranked #1 (WBC) and #6 (WBO), has collected the scalps of named brand pugilists Ishe Smith, Jeison Rosario and Terrell Gausha.
In his last match against Rosario, Lubin collected a highlight reel stoppage when he reduced the Dominican to his knees with a series of crushing body blows. After writhing along the ropes like he’d taken a switch blade to the belly, the fight was quickly waved off.
THE SMILING MONSTER
Similar to Lubin, Fundora was navigating a five-fight, win streak but in a two-year span since getting a draw against contender Jamontay Clark. Ironically, or perhaps not, Clark was heavily used as a sparring partner to help Lubin prepare for this match.
Going into this bout, Fundora was ranked #2 (WBC), and had established a fan-friendly reputation as an all action fighter. Not only this, his 6’6 height coupled with his high-volume style, made him a unique oddity in the division. Trouble was, with all that swinging the Towering Inferno does, he also took a good amount of shots.
Tonight though, his unrelenting style resulted in the most meaningful win of his career.
IMMEDIATE FIRE
The bout really began cooking in the second round when the two fighters traded a great deal of leather. It appeared that Lubin bothered Fundora with a hard right hand to the chin. Later the Towering Inferno would first hurt Lubin with a sneaky right uppercut then later put him on the canvas with the same shot. Luckily for the Hammer, the bell sounded as he found his feet.
Lubin had a favorable bounce back round in the third. The Floridian connected with several impactful power shots but was still standing still in front of Fundora too long.
He then staged a fairly dominant fourth round, working well off the back foot. By the end of the period his counter-punching and body work had the taller fighter moving in reverse. Fundora would inch back in during the fifth by mildly overwhelming Lubin with his volume. While the Hammer was never truly hurt, he did look uncomfortable a number of times.
The bout went from tough to torturous for Lubin in the seventh where Fundora opened the round drowning his opponent in left uppercuts. Even worse, his face began swelling at a frightening pace. The action suddenly became more dramatic when Lubin hurt Fundora with a overhand right then dropped him with a rapid series of blows. Now it was the Towering Inferno who got a taste of barely surviving a round.
SUDDEN DEATH
The two battled toe-to-toe throughout the eighth and ninth rounds. Yet during the ninth, Lubin was once again looking worn and ragged. Clearly his chief second, Kevin Cunningham thought so as he threw in the towel at the conclusion of the round. It was not a terrible stoppage due Lubin’s face showing massive amounts of swelling. Furthermore, Lubin’s defeated demeanor certainly didn’t help anything.
This was an excellent win for Fundora who’s shown once again he is ready for a title shot!
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By: Bakari Simpson
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