Though Sebastian Fundora suffered an injury, it seems the entire card has taken the hit. The light middleweight champion sustained a sparring accident that effectively derailed his latest venture, the bout against former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman. A win over Thurman, who turns 37 in ten days, would have strengthened Fundora’s case and attracted a slew of big fights, potentially against Vergil Ortiz Jr. or fellow champions Xander Zayas, Bakhram Murtazaliev, or Abass Baraou for title unification.

Clearly, one feels sorry for Sebastian Fundora. However, one shouldn’t overlook Keith Thurman‘s despondence. After losing his welterweight title to Manny Pacquiao in 2019, it took him three years to return to the ring, against Mario Barrios. Another three-year break followed before he faced the unheralded Brock Jarvis in March this year. Thurman could have returned earlier. He had an opportunity to face Tim Tszyu. However, injury robbed him of that chance. Understandably, Thurman is not happy with the current situation. While hinting at a possible new fight date, he lashed out at Fundora over the fiasco.

Keith Thurman to Fundora: Get back in the ring – fast!

“Very unfortunate to have to deal with this postponement,” said Keith Thurman, recalling his own frustrations. He expressed sympathy for the undercard fighters, who, according to some reports, might find a place on the December 6 Lamont Roach Jr.-Isaac Cruz card.

“We’re not sure when the kickoff date is going to be. They will be announcing it. Rumors are January. But we’re going to have to stay tuned, people,” he said, adding that he would continue training hard. Later, Keith Thurman called out Fundora directly.

First, a quick jibe: “People don’t believe you, son. They don’t believe you. They think you’re running, okay? They think you’re doing funny stuff in the game.” Teasing Fundora not to pull out of a ‘great fight,’ Thurman then switched to Kendrick ‘K-Dot’ Lamar’s immortal lines. “I had to ask K Dot. How you feel about Sebastian? How, K Dot? What you got to say? You got something to say, K Dot?”

And Lamar’s words boomed out: “I know how you work; I know just who you are. See, you’s a, you’s a, you’s a bi**h.”

When One Time starts running out of time

Considering his age, the difficulty of the situation, and his dwindling opportunities, it’s understandable for Keith Thurman to feel frustrated. Yet perhaps deep down, he realizes he may not have a better matchup than Sebastian Fundora in the current landscape.

Then, a bout against the fiery Bakhram Murtazaliev or Vergil Ortiz Jr. remains doubtful. Better still, a tune-up fight to keep him active while Fundora recovers could help Keith Thurman maintain his contention status.

On the other hand, a quick return is equally important for Fundora. With Murtazaliev inching closer to a face-off against Josh Kelly and Ortiz tied up with Erickson Lubin, a timely comeback would place Fundora neatly back into the mix.

So Fundora might do well to follow Thurman’s advice. “So, Fundora, recover, boy; ice that hand. Go see the Asian man. Go see the medicine man. Do what you’ve got to do, baby. Acupuncture. Fix them up. All right. Get that oil change. Fix them up. Show the docs if you got them, baby,” said the fellow Florida native.

What’s your take? Should Keith Thurman wait for Fundora’s return or take on the next best matchup?