Anyone who wondered if Sebastian Fundora was just a physical oddity got some answers in April. 

6’5 Jr. middleweights don’t grow on trees. Give them those dimensions with toughness and ability and fans have something to invest in. Whether Fundora goes on to win the world title or not, and at Jr. middleweight there is only one champion to beat, he solidified himself as a contender against Erickson Lubin. Fundora dropped Lubin early, came off the floor in the seventh, and forced a surrender after nine brutal rounds.

It might be the best fight of 2022 so far.

None of that will matter when the bell rings Saturday (Showtime, 10 PM EST). Fundora isn’t next for champion Jermell Charlo but there are reasons for him to think he could be next man up after Charlo faces Tim Tszyu. To stay on track, Fundora will have to defeat Carlos Ocampo.

Many fans will recall Ocampo best for a first-round knockout loss to Errol Spence in 2018. Ocampo has been busy since, winning twelve in a row with nine stoppages. Is Ocampo ready to leave the world with something new to remember?     

Let’s get into it. 

Stats and Stakes

Sebastian Fundora

Age: 24

Titles/Previous Titles: None*

Height: 6’5 ½  

Weight: 153 ½ lbs.

Stance: Southpaw

Hails from: Coachella, California

Record: 19-0-1, 13 KO

Press Rankings: #2 (TBRB, Ring, ESPN, BoxRec) 

Record in Major Title Fights: N/A (1-0, 1 KO including interim title fights)

Last Five Opponents: 135-10-2 (.925)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Sergio Garcia UD12; Erickson Lubin RTD9

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None

*Currently the WBC interim titlist at 154 lbs.

Vs.

Carlos Ocampo

Age: 26

Titles/Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’10 ½ 

Weight: 153 ½ lbs.

Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Record: 34-1, 22 KO

Press Rankings: #10 (Ring) 

Record in Major Title Fights: 0-1, 1 KOBY

Last Five Opponents: 131-26-2 (.830)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB/Ring Rated Foes: Errol Spence KO by 1

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None

The Pick: Fundora is favored to win this fight and should. He’s getting better at using his physical assets and has been matched with much tougher opposition in the last few years than Ocampo. That said, Ocampo could be getting underestimated. The Spence loss was tough, and quick, but consider Ocampo’s age. He was just 22 in his only loss facing one of the best welterweights in the world. Has Ocampo improved? It’s inevitable he’s matured but his competition has been unimpressive. It’s up to Ocampo to show he’s more than the opponent. The guess here is he makes a spirited effort but the short power shots of Fundora carry the night with a late stoppage.  

Additional Weekend Picks

Carlos Adames Dec. Juan Macias Montiel

Fernando Martinez Dec. Jerwin Ancajas   

Rold Picks 2022: 40-9

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com