Keys to Victory: Where can Sebastian Fundora and Keith Thurman land major damage?

If Keith Thurman is going to return to world championship glory, he must figure out a way to solve the complex puzzle that is Sebastian 'The Towering Inferno' Fundora.

Thurman will try to do just that tonight when he challenges the WBC junior middleweight world champion at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, and live on pay-per-view.

Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs), a former unified welterweight world champion, returned to boxing following a three-year absence last March to deliver a third-round TKO of Brock Jarvis. Meanwhile, Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) knocked out Chordale Booker in four rounds in March before producing a corner stoppage of Tim Tszyu in July.

Will Thurman reinforce his greatness by delivering what would be one of the biggest wins of his career? Or will Fundora stop 'One Time' in brutal fashion toward retaining his title? With the anticipation reaching a fever pitch, DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both the champ and challenger.

Sebastian Fundora’s Keys to Victory

Establish range

Sebastian Fundora touts an 80-inch reach that he should use to sting Keith Thurman with prodding shots, whether the jab or straight lefts.

Many times, Fundora’s opponents believe they are out of harm’s — or better yet arm's — way only to get caught by the 6-foot-6 southpaw’s extensive reach.

Thurman moves deceptively well, but can get tagged by Fundora, who owns 11 inches of reach advantage.

Punish Thurman for getting inside, especially to the body

Fundora is excellent from the outside, but also possesses a nasty inside fight game where he often overwhelms opponents with high, incessant punch volumes that make them genuinely feel like they’re stuck in a four-alarm blaze courtesy of ‘The Towering Inferno.’

Part of Fundora’s inside work should be dedicated to Thurman’s body where he has shown vulnerability. The former unified welterweight world champion has a history of being hurt to the body with the likes of Luis Collazo, Shawn Porter, Manny Pacquiao and Mario Barrios all having success targeting Thurman’s midsection. The onus is on Fundora too for checking Thurman’s temperature there to see how he handles body shots.

All being said, Fundora must do this while exercising caution as in the phone booth is where he himself is most susceptible to counterpunches.

Push off, bully Thurman to keep him a stationary target

Thurman has underrated footwork as he is able to get to his spots effectively over the course of an important prize fight like this.

Knowing that, Fundora must make use of push-offs, and even clinches when necessary, to keep Thurman in front of him as stationary as possible. That’s where Fundora can optimize his reach and increase his chances of retaining the WBC 154-pound title with resounding results.

Keith Thurman’s Keys to Victory

Feint, change levels to get inside of Fundora’s reach

Keith Thurman has all the veteran savvy and guile in setting up his shots whether it’s off a feint or achieved by changing levels.

Both of the tactics should be used of getting inside of Sebastian Fundora’s massive 11 inches of reach.

Thurman’s ability to consistently maneuver his way inside could have him reaching paydirt in the form of unloading the power punch needed to dramatically alter Fundora’s championship status.

Time Fundora for a counterpunch

With Fundora so active with his output in and out of the pocket, the onus is on Thurman to use his ring generalship and IQ to aptly time the champ with a counterpunch.

Doing this effectively could lead to stellar results for ‘One Time’ and his ability to land a fight-changing punch.

Frustrate the champ on the feet

Feinting and changing levels to get inside of Fundora’s reach are frustrating tactics to deal with already.

Thurman consistently turning Fundora and forcing him to reset, or slipping out of harm’s way altogether, could put the champ in the position of traliing on rounds early.

Watch Itauma vs. Franklin with a DAZN subscription

Knockout sensation Moses Itauma faces his toughest test against Jermaine Franklin this Saturday night, March 28. Watch exclusively with a DAZN Ultimate subscription to also get PPVs Chisora vs. Wilder (April 4), Wardley vs. Dubois (May 9), and Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23) included.

Sign up for £22.99 / $44.99 per month. More details here.