**SEBASTIAN FUNDORA VS. CHORDALE BOOKER**
Standing nearly six-foot-six, Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora leapt into the championship ranks after earning a decision over Tim Tszyu last year, and will now defend his WBC and WBO 154-pound world titles against the WBO No. 5-ranked and WBC No. 14-ranked super welterweight contender in Chordale Booker as they top the March 22 event in a 12-round attraction.
Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) rocketed to the top of the super welterweight division with a fan-friendly style and bruising toughness in the ring that helped him emerge victorious from a grueling and bloody battle against Tszyu last March. A native of Coachella, California, Fundora notably showed his mettle in April 2022, battling the hard-hitting Erickson Lubin in an instant 2022 Fight of the Year contender. Despite both men hitting the canvas, Fundora stood tall in the end, prompting Lubin’s corner to stop the fight at the end of the ninth round. The 27-year-old has defeated a slew of contenders throughout his career, with his only defeat coming to Brian Mendoza in 2023. Fundora represents one of boxing’s most accomplished families, as he is trained by his father Freddy alongside his younger sister, undisputed flyweight world champion Gabriela. The two fighting Fundora’s are the first brother and sister to simultaneously hold world championships.
“I’m preparing really hard to defend my unified WBC and WBO world titles on March 22 in Las Vegas,” said Fundora. “Everyone can expect to see me prepared and ready to leave it all in the ring like I always do. ‘The Towering Inferno’ is back, and I’m coming to take out everyone in my way.”
Fighting out of his native Stamford, Connecticut, Booker (23-1, 11 KOs) enters this fight on a six-fight winning streak that includes four stoppage victories that have helped him rise up the rankings and earn his first world title opportunity. Since a 2022 loss to Austin Williams, Booker has dominated his competition, including a 2024 campaign that saw him defeat veteran contender Greg Vendetti in February before stopping Brian Damian Chaves in round three of their June clash. The 33-year-old also owns triumphs over a litany of tough contenders including Wale Omotoso and VeShawn Owens. Prior to turning pro in 2016, Booker put together a sensational amateur career that included gold medals at the U.S. National and Golden Gloves championships, in addition to a bronze medal at the U.S. Olympic trials that earned him an alternate spot for the 2016 U.S. Olympic team.
“I’ve done everything I could to get here, and it’s a testament to what my foundation represents – going the distance,” said Booker. “I’ve gone the distance to make it to this fight. I’ve taken fights on short notice, fought for less and always kept pushing forward. Now, 15 years into my boxing journey, I’m stepping into the biggest fight of my life. This moment means everything and it’s proof that hard work and perseverance pays off.”
**JESUS RAMOS JR. VS. KEVIN SALGADO**
In the 10-round co-main event, one of the sport’s brightest rising Mexican stars will return to action as Jesus Ramos Jr. looks to continue his climb up the stacked 154-pound division when he battles the all-action contender Kevin Salgado in an explosive all-Mexican battle.
After coming up on the wrong end of a contested decision against top contender Erickson Lubin in September 2023, Ramos (22-1, 18 KOs) has returned in style with back-to-back stoppages. Most recently he blasted out the former unified champion Jeison Rosario in the eight-round of their February 1 matchup. A native of Casa Grande, Ariz., Ramos had worked his way up the rankings by defeating a slew of contenders including Brian Mendoza, Javier Molina, Vladimir Hernandez and an emphatic stoppage of the then-unbeaten Joey Spencer. Trained by his father Jesus Sr., and the nephew of veteran contender Abel, the 23-year-old Ramos entered the Lubin fighting having stopped seven of his last 10 opponents.
“I’m thrilled to be stepping back into the ring on March 22,” said Ramos. “One of my main goals this year was to increase my activity and this opportunity aligns perfectly with that ambition. Kevin Salgado is a formidable fighter known for his resilience and determination, and that should make for an electrifying night of boxing. Coming off an extended training camp, my conditioning is at its peak. Now our primary focus is to develop a strategic game plan tailored to Salgado’s unique style so that we can secure the victory.”
A native of Mexico City, Salgado (17-2-1, 10 KOs) is the younger brother of former super featherweight champion Juan Carlos Salgado and now fights out of San Antonio, Texas. Salgado enters this with two consecutive stoppage victories following an April 2023 decision loss to Elijah Garcia. The 27-year-old turned pro in late 2016 and delivered knockouts in six of his first nine outings. After scoring three-straight knockouts between September 2019 and February 2021, Salgado returned to the ring in October 2021 to defeat Ricardo Banuelos Cernas by unanimous decision before fighting Bryant Perrella to a split-draw in his U.S. debut in April. Salgado bounced back from a September 2022 defeat to Joey Spencer by knocking out Gilberto Flores in the first round of their December 2022 clash.
“This is an important opportunity and I’m coming to make the most of it,” said Salgado. “I have a strong opponent, but I’m going to be the best version of myself when the fight comes. On March 22 I will do whatever it takes to get my hand raised.”
..ive had enough of gausha's underachieving and really dont want to see him on my TV anymore but if garcia can be the first one to stop him it would speak volumes
