SEBASTIAN FUNDORA VS. KEITH THURMAN
VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES &
ZOOM RECORDING
WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Fundora Battles Former Unified Champion Thurman Headlining PBC Pay-Per-View Event on Prime Video Saturday, March 28, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
Click HERE for Video Recording
(Credit: Premier Boxing Champions)
LAS VEGAS – March 11, 2026 – WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora and former unified world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman previewed their world championship showdown during a virtual press conference on Wednesday before they headline a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, March 28 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The reigning world champion Fundora will look for a signature victory to bolster his claim as the world’s best 154-pounder when he takes on Thurman, one of the best fighters of his era, who can solidify his resume by being crowned champion in a second division.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.
In addition to being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
The event is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing.
Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA
“We’re ready to defend our title and remain WBC Super Welterweight World Champion. I’m just looking at Keith as another fight. I’ve fought a reigning champion and former champions. So I just have to see it as another fight. I have to go make the ring mine and make this fight mine as well.
“I’m the younger guy and I’m the champion. Lots of things favor me in this fight. You can’t just rely on that of course. But I’m extremely confident and more matured at this point in my career.
“I have to expect the best Keith Thurman to come out. That’s what we’re training for. Whether he brings it or not, that’s not up to me. But I’ll be ready.
“He says I haven’t fought any OG’s, but that’s because those OG’s aren’t around anymore.
“He looked good in his last fight, but I think my skills are better. That’s why we’re fighting. I’m planning to go in there and defend my title successfully.
“I’ve fought a lot of good fighters, and I’m just seeing Thurman as another fight. This would be a good win against another accomplished former champion.
“Boxing is full of opinions. Anybody can say whatever they want. Freedom of speech. Like whoever you like, but I consider myself the best at 154 pounds.
“What I watch when I’m working on my sister’s fights is a more human reaction. I can see things from the outside view that you don’t notice because you’re only focused on your opponent. It gives you a different perspective.”
KEITH THURMAN
“He needs to be Sebastian Fundora. He’s trying to simplify it for himself. It’s a heavy weight on the shoulders being champion, I know. He’s gonna see what an OG can do.
“Great champions become champions again, and you can’t stop a champion from rising to the top. I’ve got several more tangos left in me, and that’s what March 28 is all about. I’m back in the spotlight and ready to showcase my talents.
“When he goes down, he’s gonna realize what a legend is. He hasn’t met one yet. He knows what he needs to tell himself to get in the ring like it’s just another day. I take it a little more serious than that, and he’s gonna find out that March 28 isn’t just another day, it’s Thurman’s day.
“Fundora is starting to get better and better. He’s starting to get some of those layers. But it takes a fight like this to really reach the highest level. That’s what makes great champions.”
“I’m healthy and I’m ready to get in the ring and swing. I want the best. Fundora says he’s the best. I love going for the belt and taking the belt. That’s what boxing is all about.
“Danny Garcia is the only champion I’ve gotten to take the belt from. Now it’s happening for the second time and in a second division. I’m ready to keep writing my history.
“My sparring partners definitely have the height and reach that’s gotten me familiar with what I need. Of course I won’t be facing the real Sebastian Fundora until I’m in the ring, just like he won’t be facing the real Keith Thurman until then.
“I’m in there trading punches with heavyweights for this fight. My two sparring partners are giving both of Fundora’s looks, the come forward fighter or the back foot jabber, and they’ve got me prepared for whatever he brings on March 28.
“This would be a great win on my resume. It would be a legendary comeback win. There are times where you can win against a soft champion, but that’s not Sebastian.”
RISING YOUNG STAR YOENIS TELLEZ TAKES ON TOP CONTENDER BRIAN MENDOZA IN NEW CO-MAIN EVENT OF PBC PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT AVAILABLE ON PRIME VIDEO SATURDAY, MARCH 28
Frank Sanchez vs. Richard Torrez Jr. Bout Postponed
Four-Fight Pay-Per-View Event Headlined by WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian Fundora Dueling Former Unified Champion Keith Thurman from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS – March 13, 2026 – Rising young Cuban star Yoenis Tellez will square off against top contender Brian Mendoza in a super welterweight showdown between former interim champions that serves as the new co-main event of a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video on Saturday, March 28 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
This fight replaces the previously announced Frank Sanchez vs. Richard Torrez Jr. bout, which has been postponed.
The pay-per-view will now open up with undefeated heavyweight slugger Gurgen Hovhannisyan stepping in to face Cesar Navarro in a 10-round showdown at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, and also feature the showdown between undefeated top-rated middleweight Yoenli Hernandez and battle-tested U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha.
Exciting young star Elijah Garcia and super middleweight contender Kevin Newman II will now meet in the main event of PBC on Prime Video action streaming live and for free on Prime Video prior to the pay-per-view. The complete lineup of fights that lead into the pay-per-view will be announced shortly.
The jam-packed card is topped by WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora defending his world title against former unified world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.
In addition to being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
The event is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing.
**YOENIS TELLEZ VS. BRIAN MENDOZA**
In a battle of former interim champions at 154 pounds, Cuba’s Yoenis Tellez will look to take down another veteran opponent in the always dangerous contender Brian Mendoza, as they go toe-to-toe in super welterweight action.
The 25-year-old Tellez (11-1, 8 KOs) captured the WBA Interim Title with a March 2025 decision over former world champion Julian Williams. After dropping a tough decision to eventual 154-pound world champion Abass Baraou last August, Tellez most recently got back in the win column with a December stoppage of Kendo Castaneda. Previously Tellez made his first big splash in the sport when he stepped in on short notice in July 2023 to blast out contender Sergio Garcia and earn a third-round TKO on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford undercard. Originally from Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, Téllez continued to rise in two subsequent bouts after the Garcia triumph, closing the show in style with a 10th-round TKO of Livan Navarro in December 2023 before earning a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Joseph Jackson in April 2024.
“I respect Brian Mendoza and everything he’s done, but on March 28 at MGM Grand, I’m coming hungry and ready to seize this opportunity,” said Tellez. “I’ve worked too hard to let this moment pass me by. I’m prepared to leave everything in the ring, because my goal is to get back to that world title fight, and this is a major step in that direction. The fans in Las Vegas are going to see the best version of me, and I plan to put on a show. I’m coming with everything!”
Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico and now fighting out of Las Vegas, Mendoza (23-4, 17 KOs) earned the WBC Interim Title with a highlight-reel knockout of reigning world champion Sebastian Fundora in April 2023, and still holds the distinction as the only fighter to best Fundora. He followed up that win by traveling to Australia to challenge then WBO 154-pound world champion Tim Tszyu, eventually losing by decision. After the Tszyu fight, he stepped in on short notice and dropped a decision to top 154-pounder Serhii Bohachuk in 2024, before his latest action saw him stop Jesus Antonio Rojas last July. Led to the ring by renowned trainer Ismael Salas, the 32-year-old Mendoza had previously knocked out former unified 154-pound champion Jeison Rosario in November 2022 and rode a three-fight winning streak into a decision defeat against now Interim WBC Middleweight Champion Jesus Ramos Jr. in September 2021.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be back under the bright lights in Las Vegas on a card like this,” said Mendoza. “A win here turns everything around and puts me right back where I belong, with the best in the world at 154 pounds. I’m hungrier than ever to get back to the top and ready to knock out whoever gets in my way, starting with Tellez.”
**YOENLI HERNANDEZ VS. TERRELL GAUSHA**
In a 10-round middleweight attraction, one of the 160-pound division’s fastest-rising stars Yoenli Hernandez will put his unbeaten record on the line against his toughest opponent to date, the dangerous U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha, with the winner in prime position to challenge for middleweight gold.
Ranked number one by the WBA, number two by the WBC and number three by the WBO, Hernandez (9-0, 8 KOs) is yet another in a long line of sensational amateur fighters to come from the Cuban program, with his long resume before turning pro featuring a 2021 gold medal at AIBA World Boxing Championships. Originally from Camaguey, Cuba and now fighting out of Providence, Rhode Island, Hernandez turned pro in May 2022 with a pair of stoppage victories and continued to dominate his competition as he rose up the rankings. The 28-year-old returned in 2024 with four U.S. fights, including a stoppage of the veteran contender Alejandro Barrera in June and a TKO over the previously unbeaten Bryce Henry in October. Hernandez added three more victories in 2025, including a shutout unanimous decision over top contender Kyrone Davis on Prime Video last May.
“I’m extremely grateful for another opportunity to showcase my talents,” said Hernandez. “But let’s be real, not everyone has the heart to step in there with me. Respect to the one who will on March 28. I’m locked in, staying sharp and I’m coming to make a statement. No shortcuts, no excuses, just pressure. Stay tuned.”
A member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, Gausha (24-5-1, 12 KOs) was born in Cleveland, Ohio but now fights out of Encino, California and is trained by the renowned Manny Robles. Gausha bounced back from an unsuccessful title challenge of WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames in 2024 to drop Elijah Garcia in their 2025 showdown, eventually coming up on the short end of a narrow split decision. Prior to facing Adames, Gausha had won back-to-back bouts as he knocked out Brandyn Lynch in March 2023 before winning a decision over KeAndrae Leatherwood in September of that year. Gausha has faced top competition throughout his career, having fought former champion Austin Trout to a draw in 2019 in addition to decision losses against WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy Lara, former world champion Tim Tszyu and top contender Erickson Lubin.
“I’m a true professional who’s always training, because boxing is what I do,” said Gausha. “I’ve seen Yoenli fight and he’s a young, strong, skilled fighter. If you’ve watched my fights in the past, you’ll know that’s what I like. I want to test myself against the best. Beating him will get me close to my goal of becoming world champion. That’s what I’m here for.”
**GURGEN HOVHANNISYAN VS. CESAR NAVARRO**
The undefeated heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan will make his 2026 debut as he continues his ascent up the rankings against Cesar Navarro, who will look to make it three straight victories in their 10-round affair.
An Armenian-native now living and training in Los Angeles, Hovhannisyan (9-0, 8 KOs) has made his rise under the watchful eye of top trainer Joe Goossen. Now the WBA’s number 10 ranked heavyweight, Hovhannisyan returns to action after scoring two victories in 2025. He kicked off the year with a fifth-round KO of Dajuan Calloway in April before most recently stopping Chris Thomas in round three in July. The 28-year-old also owns a stoppage victory over veteran contender Michael Polite-Coffie.
“I’m ready to show everybody how much I continue to improve,” said Hovhannisyan. “I’m definitely coming for another knockout victory. We’ve been grinding and grinding and it’s time to show the world all that we’ve been working on.”
The 26-year-old Navarro (15-3, 13 KOs) steps back into the ring fresh off back-to-back TKO victories, with his most recent triumph coming last September against Derek Saul Cardenas Perez. The 26-year-old showed he’s danger for any opponent last May as he dropped the undefeated contender Dainier Pero twice before losing a close decision. A pro since 2017, Navarro was unbeaten in his first eight fights and has gone the distance in each of his defeats.
“Opportunities like this don’t come around often and I don’t take it lightly,” said Navarro. “On March 28 in Las Vegas I get to step into the ring against a tough opponent in Gurgen Hovhannisyan. It’s a big stage and that’s exactly where I want to be. I’m proud to represent Phoenix and my Mexican roots event time I step into the ring. Fighters from where I’m from know how to grind and fight with heart. On March 28 I’m coming to represent my city, my culture and everyone who believes in me. Phoenix and Mexico – this is for you.”
