Boxing
Battered Keith Thurman isn’t doing himself any favors by going on a tirade about Fundora being detained
Published
7 months agoon
Keith Thurman made a spectacle of himself after being stopped in the sixth round on Saturday night by Sebastian Fundora – and not in a way that would enhance his legacy.
From the opening bell, Thurman could barely get a spotless shot off, constantly falling back against the bigger, longer and much more energetic champion.
In the sixth round, a precise right uppercut that opened a cut above Thurman’s left eye ended the fight, and yet Thurman protested as if the stoppage had been unfair.
WBN scored a goal in the fight
WBN watched each round closely during the live score summary and couldn’t give much to Thurman. At times he looked like a novice compared to a polished professional.
Age and long inactivity – which he claimed before the fight didn’t matter – were glaring. Only Thurman’s peak from 2015 to 2017, when he defeated Robert Guerrero, Shawn Porter, Luis Collazo and Danny Garcia, could realistically challenge Fundora’s relentless pressure.
Words don’t erase the damage
In the post-fight presser, Thurman vented his emotions, his words coming faster than punches ever hit the ring.
“Whoever the hell that referee (Thomas Taylor) was, don’t ever hire him for shitty main events again, man. I’m earnest,” Thurman began.
“Remember Erik Morales vs. Marco Antonio Barrera? Mine’s not even broken. I never fell during the whole fight.
“I got caught in the back of punches. I wasn’t strapped in. He just jumped in like a white rabbit, man. Little, jumpy judges aren’t made for main event boxing.”
He continued with colorful analogies, insisting that fans were robbed of a decent fight:
“The fight was getting funnier and funnier! People were on their feet! We were just getting into the grind, you know? Four more minutes and he could have made a mistake right in front of me.”
“I had this long-term vision. But the judge wouldn’t let me get there, man.”
Reality and rhetoric
The visual and statistical reality tells a different story: Thurman was dominated.
Fundora controlled the early rounds with his jab, averaging 44 per round, while Thurman landed just 15 total punches in the first three rounds.
He switched to massive punches in the fourth and landed 36 in the fifth – the most any opponent had ever hit Thurman.
In one round, 28 of them were power shots. Thurman took 12 consecutive challenging punches in the sixth period before the referee stopped the punch at 1:17.
The finishing punch stats told the story: Fundora landed 64 of 129 power punches (50%), while Thurman landed only 25 of 97 (26%),” CompuBox reports.
Thurman’s protest, however passionate, interferes with the fight itself. It’s one thing to question a close stop; it’s another to defy it while seeing the unrelenting punishment on your face.
A flush right hand in round five was Thurman’s only moment of clarity, but even that didn’t snail-paced down Fundora. An upper right uppercut in the sixth round that prompted the referee’s intervention highlighted a gap in preparation, timing and reflexes.
Thurman may have had the heart of a champion, but on Saturday night he simply didn’t have the legs, sharpness or timing.
Unlike many controversial stoppages in which fighters are visibly injured or strapped, Thurman was not knocked down, was not pinned by the ropes, and remained mobile throughout.
His protest is louder than the threat he actually faces. This isn’t about Morales-Barrera or the orbital gap controversy – it’s Fundora’s dominant performance against a non-top-tier competitor, and the reality is unmistakable.
Don’t take from Fundora
“It’s unfortunate,” Thurman admitted, “but I’m grateful. I’m fine. I can talk to you. I don’t have to be in the hospital. Everything is as it is.”
The words are admirable, but they do not change what happened in the ring, they only worsen the champion’s performance.
Fundora’s dominance – from reach to volume to tactical execution – was absolute, and Thurman’s protest, while entertaining, may make him seem touchy-feely rather than principled.
Thurman’s tirade serves as a warning: protesting a detention when you’re completely outclassed can overshadow the performance ahead of you. Fundora’s control, precision and relentless pressure left no doubt who was in charge.
Thurman’s words may make headlines for a day, but the fight leaves no doubt – Sebastian Fundora is a force on the rise at 154 pounds.
Keith Thurman’s post-fight theatrics are a reminder that sometimes reality speaks louder than nonsensical tirade.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
You may like
Boxing
Derek Chisora Predicts Early KO in Dubois vs Wardley 2 Following First Fight Canvas Drama
Published
6 hours agoon
October 13, 2026
Daniel Dubois seeks a repeat victory over Fabio Wardley in their WBO heavyweight title clash on Saturday, and ahead of the action, fellow British heavyweight Derek Chisora has offered his final prediction for the bout.
Wardley was elevated to full WBO world champion in late 2025 and accepted a daring first defence against ‘Triple D’ at Co-Op Live in Manchester, who had lost his IBF title to Oleksandr Usyk in his prior outing.
Despite being floored twice in the opening three rounds, Dubois was able to bring Wardley’s reign to an early end as he bounced back to dominate proceedings, battering Wardley until referee Howard Foster waved the contest off in round 11.
Wardley absorbed an enormous amount of punishment, but he was still quick to activate his rematch clause and initiate an immediate second meeting with Dubois, in the hopes of becoming a two-time heavyweight world champion.
Although, whilst pursuing a win that could define his career, Chisora told talkSPORT that he believes a second encounter with Dubois could turn out to be Wardley’s career finale, anticipating an early stoppage win for the reigning WBO heavyweight champion.
“I think that this is Wardley’s last fight. I don’t think that he wants to box anymore. This is his cash out.
“After three rounds, Daniel’s going to win it by knockout.”
All will be revealed when Dubois vs. Wardley II takes place this weekend at the O2 Arena in Londonwith Michael Gomez Jr set to challenge for Louie O’Doherty’s British lightweight title in the co-main event.
Boxing
Tyson Furys Advantage: The Importance of Leg Endurance in Boxing
Published
10 hours agoon
October 12, 2026
Paulie Malignaggi likes Tyson Fury’s style against Anthony Joshuabut only if the Gypsy King’s legs still hold up to control range. He points out that Joshua must close the distance, yet doubts AJ has the footwork required to get there.
Fury’s movement creates the main problem. If he keeps Joshua following his lead and constantly resets AJ’s rhythm, Joshua risks spending the entire night chasing shadows instead of landing meaningful shots.
“AJ has to obviously get in close,” Malignaggi told Boxing King Media. “It’s not easy against a guy with the footing of Fury, but who knows, maybe Fury’s old legs are a little slower.”
That lingering doubt stops Paulie from locking in a definitive pick. Fury understands how to dictate distance against AJ, but executing that plan across twelve rounds takes functional wheels.
If Fury has lost a step, Joshua gets a direct route into punching range without burning energy on pursuit. AJ does not need sudden speed if Fury can no longer skip away. Joshua simply has to capitalize whenever Fury sits in the pocket.
At the same time, Malignaggi remains skeptical about Joshua’s mobility.
“I think AJ’s feet are a bit cumbersome, though. So, I think the size of the ring and things like that will also matter in the fight.”
A larger ring hands Fury extra space to glide and forces Joshua to cover real estate. A tighter ring gives AJ a clear path to trap his rival, though he must cut off the ring instead of trailing behind.
Paulie’s breakdown hinges entirely on Fury’s mobility. If the legs work, Joshua’s heavy feet could leave him swinging at air. If those legs fade, AJ suddenly finds a manageable target. Malignaggi spots the stylistic edge, but he refuses to assume Fury can still pull it off. He is analyzing a long-gone version of Tyson Fury from ten years ago, not the lumbering heavyweight who actually steps into the ring today.
That 2015 night in Düsseldorf against Wladimir Klitschko might as well belong to another century. Ever since the Usyk beatdowns, the slow-motion survival against Wach, and that labored outing against Makhmudov, Fury has looked completely grounded.
The twitch reflex is gone, the lateral bounce has vanished, and his upper-body slips look like they are running through wet cement. When heavyweight legs check out, no amount of altitude running or motivational talk in Morecambe brings them back.

About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
Boxing
Nakisa Bidarian Explains the Financial Principles Driving Canelos Commitment
Published
11 hours agoon
October 12, 2026
Nakisa Bidarian believes Canelo Alvarez could lose his purse if he withdraws from the October 31 fight with Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, but might still get paid if the organizers cancel. His theory offers a financial explanation for Canelo’s commitment to fighting despite the security concerns.
“My read: Canelo is due a lot of money. If he pulls out he is no longer due that money. If the event is cancelled he is probably also due that money. Tough situation,” said Bidarian on X.
Turki Alalshikh says Canelo remains committed to fighting Mbilli in Riyadh following deadly attacks on the city’s international airport. Reuters reported that a Saturday strike killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300, with another attack on Sunday killing one person.
Bidarian’s reading gives Canelo’s willingness to proceed another possible explanation beyond the “he fears nothing” message. Under that theory, Canelo could protect his payday by remaining ready to fight and letting the organizers decide whether the event can proceed.
That would put Canelo in an awkward position. He could have concerns about traveling without wanting to formally withdraw and potentially give up a huge purse. Saying he’s available would make financial sense even if he privately preferred a postponement or a different location.
However, Bidarian hasn’t presented Canelo’s contract or identified a cancellation clause. His wording makes clear that this is his interpretation. Whether Canelo would receive payment after a cancellation remains unconfirmed.
His post also doesn’t establish that money is driving Canelo’s decision. But the public declaration that he’ll fight tells us little about the contractual consequences of refusing to travel.
There’s also an entire card to consider. Canelo saying he’s willing to fight doesn’t settle the safety and travel questions facing Mbilli, the undercard fighters, their trainers, and the event staff. They all have to get there, prepare, and work through fight week.
The organizers still have to explain how they intend to stage the event safely. Canelo’s commitment gives them a willing headliner. It doesn’t answer those questions.
About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
Derek Chisora Predicts Early KO in Dubois vs Wardley 2 Following First Fight Canvas Drama
Ismael Bonfim removed from UFC roster after gigantic weight miss
Tyson Furys Advantage: The Importance of Leg Endurance in Boxing
Trending
-
Boxing2 days agoFloyd Schofield Triumphs in Uneven Return, Claims WBA Belt
-
Boxing2 days agoWilfredo Gomez, Legendary Boxer, Dies at 69 Leaving Behind an Historic Legacy
-
Boxing2 days agoCanelo Alvarez Confirms Decision on Mbilli Fight as Security Concerns Threaten Comeback Plans
-
MMA2 days agoUFC Vegas 122: Start time, Paramount+ stream & full fight card
-
MMA2 days agoBelal Muhammad shares nasty image of Brendan Allen’s staph infection prior to UFC Vegas 122 win
-
Boxing1 day agoTim Tszyu Set for World Title Shot Against Boxings Oldest Champion After Victory Over Spence
-
Boxing1 day agoDubois vs Wardley 2: Complete Guide to Date, Time, Venue, Undercard, Weight, Records & How to Watch
-
MMA1 day agoJake Paul cleared after Anthony Joshua knockout, eyes UFC stars


