Eddie Hearn confirms talks have taken place for Briton to fight for unified championship.
The super-welterweight division is perhaps the best in terms of overall talent of any weight class in boxing.
That’s what the majority of fans and pundits are likely to tell you, at least. And while the list of top fighters at 154 pounds is too long to detail in its entirety, Israil Madrimov, Serhii Bohachuk, Vergil Ortiz Jr., Jaron Ennis, Sebastian Fundora, Josh Kelly, and Xander Zayas are just some of the names that populate the division.
Earlier this week, Matchroom Boxing also announced a terrific fight between Ennis and Zayas that will be contested for the WBO and WBA titles.
Whoever wins that one will emerge as the unified champion. However, Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn has now revealed in an interview with iFL TV that talks are ongoing to stage another clash for the unified championship in the very same division.
While talking about the 154-pound scrap between Ennis and Zayas, Hearn stated, “You know, we’ve also got Josh Kelly in the division. We’re in talks with Luis DeCubas about potentially makin’ the Fundora unification, as well. Let’s get these fights made. Let’s make an undisputed champion. That’s what the game’s all about.”
Josh Kelly is the IBF super-welterweight champion, having won his title in an upset this January over Bakhram Murtazaliev, the division’s then-unbeaten boogeyman.
Sebastian Fundora is the WBC champion, having previously also held the WBO title. Last time out, Fundora made his fourth consecutive title defence when he stopped Keith Thurman last Saturday.
Kelly (who fights under Matchroom) has been looking for a homecoming title defence in Newcastle, but fight news has remained quiet. A unification against the American would definitely be a welcome fight.
Fundora, at 6’5½, is the tallest active champion in the sport despite being just a super-welterweight. The long-limbed swarmer is a stylistic issue for anybody.
Kelly, on the other hand, is a stylish, slick, technical maestro. A former 2016 Summer Olympian, he was matched quickly as a professional because of his ability. At 5’10”, he would be giving up over 7 inches of height in this fight.
Both Kelly and Fundora have overcome stoppage losses earlier in their careers to achieve great things, and their respective styles would make for an extremely intriguing showdown indeed.
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