Boxing
Sebastian Fundora stops Keith Thurman in round six
Fundora gained the advantage from round to round, using his length and activity to keep Thurman on the defensive and forcing him to react rather than lead. Thurman had brief moments where he tried to land counterattacks, but he was largely overworked and landed heavier shots as the fight moved into the middle rounds, with noticeable damage forming around his face.
By six o’clock the gap had widened. Fundora pressed forward, repeating combinations, and Thurman, showing the effects of punishment, was unable to offer enough in return. With Thurman’s face in bad shape and shots continuing to fall, the referee stepped in to stop the fight, causing the first stoppage defeat of his career.
The result highlighted the difference between an lively world champion and an aging former titleholder who was brought back to a main event against elite opposition. Fundora retained the belt with an emphatic, one-sided victory, while Thurman had to suffer the consequences of stepping in at that stage against a fighter operating at full capacity.
It was a tough watch. Tonight’s physical disproportion was irritating, as Thurman (5’7″ towering) was too miniature and too senior to face the 6’3″ Fundora. Activity is the lifeblood of a fighter, and when a guy like Thurman tries to jump from the low end of a fight with Brock Jarvis right into the deep end with a giant like Fundora, his lack of timing and “fight fitness” immediately comes to lightweight.
The chase really hit a wall. Thurman used to rely on elite lateral movements and explosive bursts to offset his reach advantage, but those legs were simply not there today. By the fourth, he was fighting purely with muscle memory and desperation. Fundora is a nightmare for a “faded” warrior because it does not allow you to breathe; it simply keeps these long levers moving until the target breaks.
If Thurman is babbling about Crawford or Canelo and yet looks like this against Fundora, he shows a threatening level of disconnection. The “rush” earned him a paycheck, but the cost was the first break in his career and the loss of his face, which looked as if it had been put through a “war” meat grinder.
Chris Billam-Smith believes Ryan Rozicki is taking his opportunity seriously, but he doesn’t think a single training camp will make up for the years spent competing at the next level.
The former WBO cruiserweight champion will return against Rozicki in Bournemouth on Saturday, with the winner moving closer to a major fight in the division led by Jai Opetai.
Billam-Smith was asked if Rozicki truly believed he belonged at this level.
“I believe he thinks he’s been given an opportunity. He takes it very seriously and does everything he has to do. But sometimes it’s just not enough. Sometimes you’re just not good enough,” Billiam-Smith told ProBox TV.
“I think he is what he is in terms of his punching power, his physique and what he does. But sometimes there are things you can’t just incorporate in training camp. When I’ve been doing it for so long and been at the next level for so long, you can’t just make up for it in one training camp.”
Rozicki comes into the fight with a reputation as one of the toughest fighters in the division and has repeatedly talked about ending the fight by knockout. Billam-Smith acknowledged the threat but believes experience will be a factor when they meet.
“He’s talked about it before: ‘I win by knockout or I get knocked out.’ So there’s no doubt in my mind that he knows he can get beat.
“But I think he thinks it’s a good opportunity.”
Saturday’s fight is Billam-Smith’s first appearance since his points win over Brandon Glanton in April 2025. A victory will put him in top cruiserweight fights, including a potential clash with Ring magazine champion Jai Opetaia.
“For me, I think he believes he has a chance and will give it his all. But the Jai Opetaia fight is the one I want at the moment. It’s the next step, but I have to take care of things on Saturday first.”
Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter
Related boxing news:
Last update: 2026/06/04 at 11:24
Boxing
Devin Haney Accepts Call From Undefeated Former Champion to Defend World Title: ‘Let’s Do It’
Ryan Rozicki won’t catch up in one training camp
Josh Padley vs. Aqib Fiaz – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions
Devin Haney Accepts Call From Undefeated Former Champion to Defend World Title: ‘Let’s Do It’
-
Opinions & Features1 year agoPacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
-
MMA1 year agoDmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
-
Results1 year agoStephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
-
Results1 year agoKeyshawn Davis Ko’s Berinchyk, when Xander Zayas moves to 21-0
-
Video1 year agoFrank Warren on Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin – ‘I THOUGHT OTTO WOULD GIVE DEREK PROBLEMS!’
-
Analysis1 year agoRobert Garcia discusses the debate on the greatest Mexican warrior in history
-
Video1 year ago‘DEREK CHISORA RETIRE TONIGHT!’ – Anthony Yarde PLEADS for retirement after WALLIN
-
Results1 year agoLive: Catterall vs Barboza results and results card