Sebastian and Gabriela Fundora exemplify the idiom “don’t judge a book by its cover” possibly more than any other boxers.
The Fundoras may look like they could help your grandmother carry her groceries across the street or ace any algebra test you can throw at them, but make no mistake: they can kick your asses.
Insider has covered Sebastian Fundora’s bouts throughout the year and is familiar with him both in and out of the ring.
During the weekend of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June, we spotted him in the Canastota museum, where he hung out like any other combat sports fan. If not for his gangly, 6-foot-6 physique, he would have fit in with the crowd perfectly.
In April of this year, he brutally defeated Erickson Lubin in what remains, for us, the Fight of the Year. His outward appearance and demeanor stand in stark contrast to his viciousness inside the ring.
Saturday, Sebastian will face Carlos Ocampos in a super-welterweight bout at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson for a Premier Boxing Champions event televised on Showtime.
Gabriela enters the ring earlier in the evening for a bout of her own, so he is not the only Fundora competing that night.
Sebastian thinks Gabriela is the superior combatant, thus according to his words, we should be concerned about her.
Sebastian and Gabriela Fundora may very well be the hardest siblings in all sports.
Photograph taken by Esther Lin for Showtime.
Fundora’s performance against Lubin demonstrated, on a major platform in Las Vegas, that he possessed the fortitude to overcome difficult periods against a proven puncher, as well as the ability and skillset to assert his dominance against a top-tier opponent.
After the Lubin knockout, in which he boxed viciously from close range rather than relying on his height and reach to pick him off with blows from a distance, Fundora demonstrated that he is the division’s most terrifying challenger to undisputed champion Jermell Charlo.
Throughout the months, he has intimated to Insider that he may not even be the fiercest fighter in his own family; Gabriela may be.
Gabriela’s bout against Naomi Arellano Reyes is scheduled to take place on the same event as Sebastian’s fight on Saturday. Sebastian told Insider that Gabriela has a bright future in women’s boxing.
“With the rise of women’s boxing, it’s fantastic that Showtime is putting on these events because these women deserve the spotlight.
He stated, “There was never any doubt in my opinion that she would become a world champion.”
When we informed Gabriela about her brother’s evaluation, she responded: “How about that? That Sebastian is a very wise man is correct.”
Gabriela Fundora’s family is propelled by sibling rivalry.
Image via Getty Images
Since they were children, Sebastian and his 20-year-old daughter Gabriela were constantly striving to outdo one another.
Gabriela stated, “He really keeps me on my toes.”
Even when they were in school, one of the Fundoras would bring home their report card with straight A’s and check to see whether any of their siblings had slid to a B.
The student with the highest grades would enjoy bragging rights for the remainder of the school year.
Their rivalry extended to video games such as Mario Kart, chess, and even the running track, where they would attempt to beat each other’s personal best times.
Sebastian asserts that he is the superior chess player. He claims to be intellectual and to be implementing strategy. She stated that Gabriela has seen “The Queen’s Gambit” and takes her knowledge from that.
Gabriela will gladly tell you about their karaoke conflicts if you speak with her, although Sebastian, perhaps coincidentally, did not.
She performs the music of ABBA, David Bowie, and Elton John. “I adore the classics,” she remarked, before describing Sebastian as “a little hesitant” on the mike, until he eventually rips out Guns N’ Roses, ACDC, and Metallica.
“I am significantly better,” she remarked.
They are both determined to deliver spectacular knockouts this weekend. Sebastian Fundora and Erickson Lubin produced a David versus Goliath boxing epic.
Photograph taken by Esther Lin for Showtime.
Athletes like Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, and Claressa Shields are attracting public attention on both sides of the Atlantic for women’s boxing.
Gabriela is a member of the new generation and aspires to lead “a completely new level of boxing that is rapidly expanding and changing.”
Gabriela’s objective prior to her flyweight contest is to win in spectacular fashion and then return to the backstage to assist Sebastian in preparing for his bout against Ocampos.
She stated, “I want fireworks and a spectacular performance for the people.”
Sebastian is also accustomed to giving pyrotechnics, as evidenced by his stunning victory over Lubin, and he desires to do the same to Ocampos before the family watches their beloved LA Rams take on the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
A few weeks later, they will take their mother and extended family on a cruise from Long Beach to the Mexican beaches.
Despite their competition, they both share the same goal: to become world boxing champions simultaneously.
Sebastian informed us, “This fantasy is becoming a reality.” “And it’s wonderful to share this experience with my sister. Who else outside your sibling do you wish to be present?
“I want my sister to always be present.”
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