The Height Factor: Can Chordale Booker Overcome Sebastian Fundora’s Size

Sebastian Fundora feels more confident now that he’s the WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion after his last fight against Tim Tszyu. Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) believes he’s stronger and better than he was before heading into his title defense against Chordale Booker (23-1, 11 KOs) this Saturday, March 22nd, at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

(Credit: Sean Michael Ham/Premier Boxing Champions)

Height Advantage

Fundora, 6’5 1/2″, is going to have a massive height advantage over the 5’9″ Booker, and it’s going to be tough for the challenger to win this fight without punching power. That would be the best way to win because Brian Mendoza knocked out Fundora in the seventh round in 2023. He can be hurt against fighters with power, but it’s unclear if Booker can do it. He’s not a knockout artist.

One thing that Booker has going for him is Fundora’s inactivity. He hadn’t fought since last year when he dethroned WBO 154-lb champion Tim Tszyu, beating him by a 12-round split decision. That time out of the ring could hurt Sebastian in this fight.

“I’m very excited that I show the fans that I can defend these two titles,” said Sebastian Fundora to Fight Hub TV during today’s media workout ahead of his title defense against Chordale Booker this Saturday night.

“Everything is what I thought it would be. I’m ready for Saturday. Of course, but the business of boxing didn’t let that happen,” said Fundora when asked if he was disappointed that he couldn’t take advantage of his win over Tim Tszyu last year to keep the momentum going.”

Fundora wasted a lot of time trying to get a fight against Errol Spence. If he had focused on someone else, he likely would have fought by now. Trying him was asking for trouble.

Post-Tszyu Growth

“Now, we’re in March. Hopefully, we can get more than one fight this year,” said Fundora. “The older I get, the more I’m learning in this sport. I’m 27. We started professionally very young. So, I’m still growing. With these titles, whether I like it or not, I’m going to have to learn how to box.

“Right now, 154 is the place to be. We’ll see in the future. I can’t make it any higher than I want. 154 is where it’s at. With this extra confidence that I have now as a champion, it puts me that much higher

“It could be pride, or it could be the fact that we achieved our dreams of being a world champion. It’s not like a sparring match where I beat this guy’s butt in four rounds. No, you proved to the whole world that you’re the best, and now you have these titles,” said Fundora.