It's time to heap even more respect on Sebastian Fundora's name

But the way Fundora beat Thurman to a bloody pulp toward a sixth-round TKO victory in retaining his WBC junior middleweight world championship demands for the boxing world to heap even more respect onto his name. Simply put: He has become one of the most dominant world champions that the sport has to offer today.

At 6-foot-6 with 80 inches of reach, Fundora throws dynamic dimensions at opponents who struggle to solve the complex puzzle that the 28-year-old star continues to be. As great of a fighter as Thurman is, ‘One Time’ couldn’t effectively get within Fundora’s reach and ate one prodding shot after another. Fundora's outstretched arms, which seemingly have reserves of reach, consistently kept finding their targets.

True to his ring moniker of ‘The Towering Inferno,’ Fundora just didn’t light Thurman up — he dragged the former unified welterweight world champion into the depths of hell. The lanky champ used his 11 inches of reach advantage to establish range from the outside, punished Thurman on the inside and even set traps to find paydirt with counterpunches.

Since suffering a knockout loss to Brian Mendoza in April 2023, Fundora has steamrolled past Tim Tszyu twice, demolished Chordale Booker, and became the only man to ever stop Thurman. Ironically enough, Thurman vowed to knock Fundora out Saturday night in Las Vegas, only to be stopped himself. Thurman thought the referee’s stoppage was premature — and he has a point — but his crimsoned face told another story.

Fundora is as dominant as any world champion in boxing, but it is the way that he is dismantling opponents that is nightmarish. When it comes to the boxing adage of styles make fights, 'The Towering Inferno' is the cheat code, representing a mismatch against any opponent as soon as the bout is signed.

To a fan saying on the social media platform X, “If Shakur think he the best, let’s see him vs. Fundora,” Shakur Stevenson responded with, “Chill, I’m straight,” upon seeing how badly Fundora damaged Thurman. There’s truth in that jest.

The beating he levied Saturday night was the kind of wrecking-ball destruction that could force even a star fighter to contemplate retirement. It was that brutal.

Looking at the 154-pound landscape, Fundora can opt to unify titles once again by fighting the likes of fellow champs Xander Zayas and Josh Kelly. Or he could invite the division’s former undisputed ruler in Jermell Charlo to come test his skills. Perhaps, a battle with Jaron 'Boots' Ennis would be enticing as well.

Whatever his next moves are, it’s apparent that Fundora is deserving of more respect and bigger fights.

He’s on a monstrous tear, with anyone sharing the ring with him directly in harm’s — make that arm’s — way.

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