Fundora and Thurman Verbally Agree to an October 18th Las Vegas Matchup

WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora and #8-ranked ‘One Time’ Keith Thurman have verbally agreed to a fight on October 18th in Las Vegas.

The Business Behind the Matchup

Lance Pugmire reports that Fundora and Thurman have a verbal agreement for October 18th. Given Thurman’s age, history of injuries, and chronic inactivity issues, it remains to be seen if he makes it to the fight without pulling out. This is a business-level fight more than a sporting one. With Thurman as the opponent, it’s likely this fight will be sold on PBC on Prime Video PPV.

Keith hasn’t been active enough for him to deserve a world title shot. There are deserving contenders in the WBC’s top 15 ranking who rate a title shot more against Fundora than Thurman. He’s getting the fight because of his name recognition from the older fans who still remember him.

If the fight happens, it gives Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) a notable name to add to his resume. The former WBA and WBC welterweight champion Thurman (31-1, 23 KO’s) was one of the biggest names in the 147-lb division before injuries and domestic life sidetracked his career.

Keith recently returned from a three-year break last March and stopped Brock Jarvis in the third round. Since then, Thurman has taken a shotgun approach, calling out Terence Crawford, Ryan Garcia, Errol Spence, Liam Paro, and Fundora.

Like a lot of older fighters, Thurman hasn’t shown interest in working his way into the big fights. He wants them given to him based on his past achievements before he lost interest in fighting.

The Mismatch on Paper

It’s a mismatch on paper, as Fundora, 27, is a lot younger than Thurman, in the prime of his career, and a nightmare to fight due to his 6’5′ height. This is a match-up that Keith would have massive problems with even if he were still young and in the zenith of his career. But with just two fights in six years, Thurman has very little chance of winning.

Thurman’s recent win over second-tier fighter, Brock Jarvis, earned him this ranking at 154: #8 WBC, #8 IBF, and #8 WBO. In that fight, he showed that he still possesses his punching power, but his mobility, hand speed, and reflexes are gone. Age and inactivity have taken them away.