Chordale Booker is gearing up for the biggest challenge of his career on March 22, as he tries to overcome a towering eight-inch height deficit against Sebastian Fundora at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
Booker, officially listed at 5’9”, has adapted his entire training regimen to prepare for Fundora’s massive 6'5" frame, emphasizing "punching higher" on the bags, bringing in tall sparring partners, and drilling angles that most junior middleweights rarely encounter. He expects Fundora, the unified WBC/WBO titleholder, to come forward aggressively but insists he won't rely on a single strategy, instead bringing multiple game plans to solve the "most unique height and reach" in the 154-pound division.
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Despite facing long odds, Booker says he’s far from intimidated. He points to Fundora’s record, which includes a 2019 draw against Jamontay Clark and a shocking knockout loss to Brian Mendoza in 2023, as proof that the "Towering Inferno" is human. Booker, 33, originally campaigned as high as middleweight, taking a lone loss to Austin "Ammo" Williams by first-round TKO in 2022 - but is now seizing this world-title opportunity at 154.
Fundora had been hoping to fight former welterweight champ Errol Spence Jr. when talks fell through, opening the door for Booker's title chance. While acknowledging the short-notice scenario, Booker believes being a southpaw actually worked in his favor this time, since Fundora was already preparing for a left-handed opponent. He calls the entire situation "a dream come true," emphasizing that he’s not simply showing up but fully intends to dethrone Fundora, bringing to life what would be a major upset in the junior middleweight division.
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Image Credit: PBC