Team Conwell Believes They Should Be Next Up For Brian Mendoza
As 3kingsboxing.com previously reported, word on the street is that a rematch is in the works between WBC Interim junior middleweight champion Brian “La Bala” Mendoza (22-2, 16 KOs) and Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs). The handlers of top contender 154-pound contender Charles Conwell (18-0, 13 KOs) are upset about this development.
RIGHTEOUS OUTRAGE
Mark Habibi is the manager of Conwell and feels his fighter should be the one facing Mendoza next. Speaking to ESPN, Habibi held nothing back in response to the news.
“The Interim champ was knocked out cold. I don’t understand why the WBC is even allowing this rematch to happen. Charles has been waiting patiently for his opportunity . . . He hasn’t fought since November of last year. We can’t be kept sitting on the sidelines like this with no activity. It’s just not fair.”
One can understand why he is mad. Team Conwell petitioned the WBC to order a fight with Mendoza (Hyperlink3). Conwell is currently ranked number two by the WBC, as Fundora is ranked fifth by the sanctioning body. Habibi believes his fighter has earned the right to compete for the Interim title.
NOT ALL IS FAIR IN BOXING
However, this is the ugly reality. The more popular and visible fighters with better financial backing often get preferential treatment. Fundora fights for PBC and has been the headliner on cards on Showtime in recent outings.
Before the loss to Mendoza, Fundora was getting hyped as a potential world champion. There were discussions on boxing message boards about how The Towering Inferno would fare in a matchup with undisputed champion Jermell Charlo. Financially, Mendoza – Fundora II is more profitable for the networks than a fight between Mendoza and Conwell.
On general principle, Habibi is correct, and Conwell should be Mendoza’s next opponent. But this is boxing, a sport where fairness is often secondary, if not tertiary.
