More than six years after his last world title fight, Keith Thurman, nearly 37 years old, will have another chance to wrap a championship belt around his waist. According to BoxingScene, the former welterweight champion has reached a verbal agreement with current WBC super welterweight titleholder Sebastian Fundora for a bout scheduled for October 18 in Las Vegas.
Thurman held the welterweight world title from 2015 to 2019, when he was dethroned by Manny Pacquiao. During his reign, he had to deal with multiple injuries, remaining inactive for almost two years. Since the loss to the phenomenal Pac Man, he has fought and won only twice in six years — once against current welterweight world champion Mario Barrios in 2022, and once against modest Australian puncher Brock Jarvis in 2025.
Sebastian Fundora first covered himself in glory at super welterweight in 2024, when he stepped in for Thurman (injured biceps) as the challenger to then-WBO champion Tim Tszyu, defeating the Australian by Split Decision. On that occasion, Fundora also captured the vacant WBC belt, which he still holds after being stripped of his WBO title for refusing to face mandatory challenger Xander Zayas.
On paper, Fundora will be the clear favorite for the October 18 clash. “The Towering Inferno” is coming off two utterly dominant wins and possesses overwhelming physical advantages that are extremely difficult to neutralize. Thurman, for his part, has yet to prove he can compete at the highest level in the super welterweight division and will also have to deal with the rust accumulated from his very low fight frequency in recent years.
If “One Time” could turn back the clock and defeat the young, relentless opponent, it would be a truly historic achievement. We can only wait to see whether the world will be left in shock or if Fundora will smash his compatriot’s hopes of returning to glory with a barrage of punches.