It was a search no glossy magazine could have dared to feature. But as the Bard said, “All’s well that ends well.” Though it’s too early to confirm, it looks like Sebastian Fundora’s title defense against Keith Thurman has finally discovered a refuge. The much-anticipated fight was set to headline the PBC-Amazon Prime card on October 25. However, with just days left for the big event, news emerged that Fundora had injured himself during a sparring session. Confounding fans, the fights on the co-main and undercard were subsequently shifted to other cards. Suspense prevailed over the main event, though.

Now, as the dust clears, it seems Sebastian Fundora and Keith Thurman will finally face off at Manny Pacquiao’s comeback outing. Potentially scheduled for January, the boxing great who surprised the world with a riveting performance against champion Mario Barrios is aiming for his next adventure. The name of WBA champion Rolando Romero has been circulating for some time. The full card remains unconfirmed. But the appearance of Fundora and Thurman makes it all the more intriguing.

Ring ready: Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman!

Unsurprisingly, it was Mike Coppinger who shared the latest report. Based on information received from sources, the noted boxing insider wrote, “Sebastian Fundora’s WBC junior middleweight title defense vs. Keith Thurman is expected to land on Manny Pacquiao’s undercard in late January.”

It seems Pacquiao’s second bout post-retirement comeback was originally scheduled for January 24 in Las Vegas. However, there are chances it may shift to January 31, Coppinger mentioned. Needless to say, one fan sought clarification on the venue.

Will it be the MGM, where Fundora and Thurman were originally slated to fight, and where Manny Pacquiao‘s last bout against Barrios took place? Coppinger responded, “That’s what I expect but not confirmed.” A closer look reveals hints that a January date was already circulating.

It came from none other than one of the drama’s protagonists – Keith Thurman.

Thurman vs. History: Round two

Bitter about the situation, the former unified welterweight champion, whose career has run into a sketchy phase since his 2019 loss to Manny Pacquiao, stated, “We’re not sure when the kickoff date is going to be. They will be announcing it. Rumors are in January. But we’re going to have to stay tuned, people.”

After a three-year layoff following the Barrios fight, Thurman returned on March 12 of this year to face the unheralded Brock Jarvis in Australia, winning via third-round TKO.

But lest fans forget, almost a year ago, Thurman faced a similar situation to what confronts Fundora now. He had a fight scheduled against the then-WBO champion, Tim Tszyu. But a last-minute mishap saw Thurman suffer torn biceps that required surgery. And in stepped Fundora, as a replacement.

Perhaps smarting from that experience, or just taking potshots, Thurman called out Fundora to undergo extensive treatment, leaving no stones unturned. “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,” Thurman said.

It’s good news for fans. Fundora vs. Thurman may not have been an otherworldly matchup, but the clash of styles between a 6-foot-5-and-a-half-inch champion and a nearly foot-shorter challenger, who even used a chair to look him in the face-off, still intrigues.

Do you think the break gives Thurman enough time to prepare well for the Fundora fight?