Gabriela Fundora Chasing Boxing History Saturday

You can learn a lot about a fighter by asking who they admire or emulate in boxing. IBF World Flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora named power-punching light heavyweight unified champion Artur Beterbiev.

The ambitious Fundora (14-0, 6 KOs) has made no secret of her goal to become boxing’s youngest-ever undisputed, unified champion.

She’ll get her opportunity to achieve her dream on Saturday, November 2 in her title fight against WBC/WBO/WBA world champion Gabriela Alaniz of Argentina (15-1, 6 KOs) at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. The Ring Magazine belt will also be on the line for a true undisputed crown.

The wide favorite Fundora would surpass Devin Haney at 22 years and 219 days old. Haney currently holds the record at 23 years and 220 days old.

Speaking with NY Fights this week, Fundora said the record is a bonus.

“My goal originally was to become undisputed. Now it’s like a little cherry on top that it’s the youngest undisputed. I think last year, it became the go-to kind of goal … it’s like, ‘I want to be in the history books for that.’

Fundora would also outpace her brother, current WBC and WBO world super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs), who defeated Tim Tszyu on March 30 in a bloody spectacle of a fight. The elder Fundora will cheer his sister on, working her corner along with their father and trainer, Freddy Fundora Sr.

Fundora Family Fights Together

Gabriela Fundora says working together as a team is a significant factor in her success due to the trust and respect underlying their working relationships as trainer and athlete.

“I think the best duo in boxing is having – in my case, daughter and a father – relationship. Family, they know what you’re thinking, and I know I can trust them. They’re my extra pair of eyes. Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I know, say they see something from their side in the corner, in the ring, they’ll catch it. And then, boom, we’ll put it out there,” explained Fundora.

Fundora’s mother was also an amateur boxing competitor. They aren’t the typical boxing parents. Perhaps the family that fights together stays together?

“They’ve been in the game for so long. They’re our parents. Of course, they’re going to always worry for our concern and everything. But we do everything smart. That’s why we train smart. You know, we’re not going to do all these other extra things other than necessary, and we just try to be as perfect as we possibly can for the fight.”

Fundora Grateful For Hometown Fan Support

Fundora, nicknamed “Sweet Poison,” also draws tremendous support from the support boxing community of fans in her hometown, Coachella, California. The high desert is well known for its energized fans and for the world-class training and fighters based there.

“It must be either the sand or something the desert, the desert air maybe,” Fundora said with a laugh. But she values the support most.

“I think they are very important people. Once they grab onto you and know that you’re representing them, it’s like a magnet almost. It’s a moth to a flame, that they’re gonna support you 100%. Honestly, that’s awesome. I love it when my city supports me,” said Fundora.

“I enjoy it. It’s just the thrill of the box, and it excites me for my next fight. I get excited that now I get to showcase what I’m going to do next.

“I like to give back to the fans. You know, these fans come out and they’re supporting us, so why not give them the moment to take pictures, talk to them, and just reach out back to them?”

Power Puncher In Flyweight Package

Fundora understands that boxing is also entertainment, and fans like knockouts. She aims to deliver them. Consider the names she offered along with Beterbiev when we asked her to pick out her favorite fighters who influence her.

“I always like hard hitters. So for the males, it would have to be (world undisputed light heavyweight champion) Arthur Beterviev, very, very strong. Gennadiy Golovkin.

“For the females, I always like looking at Christy Martin, because we like to see the knockouts, and I like Ann Wolfe. There’s so many, they just inspire and kind of paved the way,” said Fundora.

Fundora’s punching technique, especially with her hooks, is eerily similar to Golovkin’s style of turning over his knuckles to drive the punch in and forward with a wicked grinding motion. Fundora laughed when this was pointed out to her. So is punching power born or made?

“It’s just the coaching, you know. Yeah, practice, practice. You’re going to get perfect at it sooner or later.”

In Fundora’s last fight against Daniela Asenjo of Chile, she couldn’t extend her knockout streak to three. But Asenjo might have preferred a quick ending to the ten-round beating she endured, including a broken nose.

Fundora’s scores were a 100-90 shutout on all three cards. She landed 143 of 306 power punches, a 47% connect rate, against just 19% for Asenjo.

Fundora Riding Wave of Growth In Women’s Boxing

Fundora’s rise couldn’t come at a better time, with women’s boxing enjoying unprecedented attention and prominence. It’s in large part due to fighters like Fundora, Amanda Serrano, and Katie Taylor, who understand it’s also vital to entertain as well as win. Fundora agrees.

“(Women’s boxing), it’s only going to get bigger. We’re got to thank the boxers, female boxers, that came before me. You know, the Jackie Navas, the Laila Alis, they all worked hard to get to where we’re at today,” said Fundora.

Fundora radiates confidence. At a time in the world when many young women of her generation are struggling with their mental health, I asked Fundora to offer advice about developing personal confidence.

“I think with anything that you do, you just gotta perfect it and continue working hard. I continue having that drive towards (perfection), and everything else kind of just blurs out and goes into the background to background noise.

So, you just got to believe in yourself and honestly, it’s going to take you far,” said Fundora. All the way to the history books on Saturday.

See our entire interview with Gabriela Fundora here.

Fundora vs. Alaniz will be the third fight on the Golden Boy Boxing card Saturday from Las Vegas, headlined by rising lightweight division star Floyd Schofield of Austin (17-0, 12 KOs) taking a step up against tough veteran Rene Tellez Giron of Mexico (20-3, 13 KOs).

Also on the card are super middleweights Bektemir Melikuziev of Indio, California (14-1, 10 KOs) against David Stevens of Reading, Pennsylvania (14-1, 10 KOs); and Darius Fulghum of Hollywood, Florida (11-1, 7 KOs) against Harold Calderon of Miami, Florida (28-1, 19 KOs) at welterweight.