Sebastian Fundora sat on the sidelines and waited … and waited … and waited following a thrilling bloodbath against Tim Tszyu last March. Fundora collected the WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles in the split decision win and immediately became one of the hottest names in a division.

Xander Zayas’ knockout of Slawa Spomer convinced the Puerto Rican contender that he is ready for a junior middleweight title shot.

Unified WBC and WBO Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will step into the ring to make the first defense of his world titles as he takes on top contender Chordale Booker headlining PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video action Saturday, March 22 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Bakhram Murtazaliev is ready to make up for lost time in a massive way. Murtazaliev made major waves in 2024 by knocking out Jack Culcay for the vacant IBF junior middleweight championship in April and defended the title in grand fashion by destroying Tim Tszyu in just three rounds in October despite coming into the clash as a massive betting underdog and with a broken right hand.

Naoya Inoue’s predictable pummeling of Yee Joon Kim on Friday wasn’t necessarily Inoue’s fault. Yes, we’re looking at you, Sam Goodman. Inoue’s limited culpability notwithstanding, the Japanese superstar was a 50-1 favorite over the South Korean contender for good reason. Seoul’s Kim (21-3-2, 13 KOs), who was knocked out in the fourth round at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, lost an eight-round majority decision three fights before he challenged Inoue for his Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO 122-pound championships to Rob Diezel. Seattle’s Diezel was 14-9 when he upset Kim in April 2023.

A fight between unified junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora and Chordale Booker is “nearly finalized” for March 22 in Las Vegas.

Sebastian Fundora is finally within reach of a fight date and opponent for his first title defense. The Ring has learned that Fundora is in advanced talks to defend his unified WBC and WBO junior middleweight belts against Chordale Booker. Once finalized, their scheduled 12-round title fight will headline a March 22 PBC on Prime show from Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Errol Spence Jr. has made it clear that he’ll be marching to the beat of his own drum. On Thursday, a months-long planned fight for March 29 between unified junior middleweight titleholder Sebastian Fundora and former welterweight three-belt holder Errol Spence Jr. finally fell apart.

A fight that never received the green light from one sanctioning body is officially off the table. Sebastian Fundora will now seek a new challenger for the first defense of his unified WBC/WBO 154-pound title reign. The Ring’s No. 4 rated junior middleweight was linked for months to a showdown with former unified welterweight titlist Errol Spence Jr., which is no longer in play.

Even before Terence Crawford planted his flag at 154 pounds, the normally blue waters in the junior middleweight division were soaked in blood. Tim Tszyu quietly made a name for himself as Jermell Charlo long held top spot, though the Australian's recent displays have Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn wondering just how good he is.