Gabriela Fundora vs Alexas Kubicki at Fantasy Springs and More

 

By David A. Avila

Undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora (16-0, 8 Kos) will be fighting a last-minute replacement in Canada’s Alexas Kubicki (13-1, 2 Kos) on Saturday Sept. 20, at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif.

DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card that features Fundora the Female Fighter of the Year for 2024 by Ring Magazine.

“I feel like I’m a pretty easy-going girl,” said Fundora on social media. “I get along with everybody.”

Except in the boxing ring.

Fundora was originally scheduled to fight Argentina’s Ayelen Granadino but that fighter was unable to obtain a visa on time. Kubicki was immediately inserted as a very capable replacement.

At 5’9” in height and weighing only 112 pounds, Fundora poses a distinct challenge for any fighter in the flyweight division. Not only because of her height and reach, but her outstanding power that was on display in her victories over former champions Arely Mucino and Gabriela Alaniz.

Her brother Sebastian “Towering Inferno” Fundora is the current super welterweight champion who is scheduled to defend against Keith Thurman next month in Las Vegas. They are the only brother and sister to have world titles simultaneously.

At age 23, Gabriela Fundora could eventually move up to compete in multiple weight divisions and challenge for those world titles. Because of her height and power, she poses a dangerous obstacle for any fighter between flyweight to lightweight and maybe beyond.

“I go into the ring to put on a show,” said Fundora, who has quickly become a can’t miss boxing event.

Kubicki, 22, fights out of Edmonton and has defeated several veteran fighters such as Mexico’s Isabel Millan and Maria Salinas. She will be entering an elite level when meeting Fundora who has exceptional power in her thin body frame.

Does Kubicki have enough fighting skills to offset the firepower of Fundora?

So far, Fundora has knocked out her last two challengers inside seven rounds.

Perhaps the only flyweight capable of challenging Fundora is Mexico’s Kenia Enriquez but the fighter from Tijuana is now competing in MMA. On Saturday, the easy-going champion faces a Canadian challenger seeking to topple the Fighter of the Year.

 

Fundora is ready to maintain her status as one of the top female champions in the world.

“Boxing is like a dance, and dance is an art,” said Fundora about performing in the boxing ring. “But you train three months are more to have the different tools in case you need them.”

 

Tiara Defends in Houston

WBC featherweight titlist Tiara Brown (19-0, 11 Kos) defends the world title against France’s Emma Gongora (10-3-1, 1 KO) on Saturday Sept. 20, in Houston, Texas.

This is her first title defense since handing Australia’s Skye Nicolson her first defeat as a pro this last March.

Most of the fight world expected an immediate rematch. That will have to wait as the Florida fighter will be defending against Gongora instead.

Gongora, 32, fights out of Marseille and her last loss was suffered against Canada’s talented Caroline Veyre two years ago in Canada. Brown, 37, has speed and power and can fight inside or at long range.

 

Bermudez Defends in Canada

IBF and WBO light flyweight world titlist Evelin Bermudez (21-1-1, 7 Kos) of Argentina travels to Ottawa, Canada to defend against Sara Bailey (6-0) on Saturday Sept. 20.

It’s always a risk to travel, but Bermudez only loss was to Costa Rica’s Yokasta Valle back in 2022 in Los Angeles. She also fought to a split draw in 2019 against Silvia Torres in Mexico City. She did defeat Canada’s Kim Clavel in 2023.

Bermudez, 28, derives from a fighting family in Rosario, Argentina. Her sister Daniela is a former world champion who fought Amanda Serrano. She also has another sister Roxana Bermudez and brother Gustavo Bermudez who box.

The challenger Bailey, 31, has an extensive amateur background with more than 100 fights including Olympic experience. She will be making her first attempt at a world title. This will be Bermudez fourth defense since re-acquiring both titles. Her last defense took place in Argentina this past March against Japan’s always dangerous Tsunami Tenkai. Bermudez is a relentless puncher who plants and unloads while always moving forward.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Ludmila Corbalan (5-0) defeated Romina Garro (1-3) in six rounds on Saturday Sept. 13. The featherweight match took place in Buenos Aires.

On Saturday Sept. 20, flyweights Sofia Robles (2-0) and Mora Amado (0-1) meet six rounds at Buenos Aires.

 

Canada

On Saturday Sept. 20, light flies Sara Bailey (6-0) and Evelina Bermudez (21-1-1) meet 10 rounds for the IBF and WBO world titles at Ottawa.

 

China

Hongran Li (1-0) beat Yuan Wang (0-1-1) by majority decision after four rounds on Saturday Sept. 13. The featherweight fight took place in Yongkang.

 

Denmark

Melissa Mortensen (6-0) defeated Cristina Garganese (3-4) in six rounds on Saturday Sept. 13. The super bantam fight took place in Kolding.

 

Dominican Republic

On Sunday Sept. 21, feathers Dyana Vargas (19-2-1) and Saimar Siris Acosta (2-1) meet eight rounds at Santa Domingo.

 

Germany

Beke Bas (10-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Calista Salgado (22-20-4) on Saturday Sept. 13. The lightweight title fight was held in Hameln. Also, light heavy Sarah Scheurich (6-0) beat Jasmin Weissmann (0-2) in six.

 

Guatemala

Susana Panameno (6-3) knocked out Yhannely Juarez (0-2) in three on Saturday Sept. 13. The light flyweight fight was held in Guatemala City. Also, super feather Ninoska Morales (1-4) beat Anllely Escobar (3-1) by split decision after four.

 

India

On Tuesday Sept. 16, light flies Lakshmi M Gireesh (0-1) and Deva Nandha (0-0) meet four rounds at Ernakulam.

 

Japan

On Wednesday Sept. 17, flyweights Sazanami Balu (5-0-1) and Prangwilai Wangbun (5-0) meet eight rounds for a regional title at Tokyo.

On Saturday Sept. 20, feathers Anera Osawa (3-0-1) and Yoshie Wakasa (9-4) meet eight rounds at Tokyo. Also, minimumweights Madoka Wada (4-0) and Peeyalux Sanpokang (10-5) meet eight; bantams Chaoz Minowa (9-4) and Yuki Fuke (4-1-1) meet six; atomweights Reira Kobayashi (0-0) and Ayumi Shuzui (3-1) meet six; flyweights Maiko Iwasaki (2-0) and Miku Nagasaki (2-3-1) meet four; Ao Oyama (0-0-1) and Reina Chiku (0-0) meet four; atoms Natsume Kikuchi (1-1-1) and Emily Abe (1-4) meet four; and bantams Mamiko Kageyama (1-1) and Yuki Katayama (0-1) meet four.

 

Netherlands

On Saturday Sept. 20, super lightweights Tessa Van Stenus (1-3) and Ilona Zuendorf (0-6) meet four rounds at Den Dungen.

 

South Africa

On Friday Sept. 19, Ntomboqala Tolashe (7-5) and Matshidise Mokebisi (18-15-2) meet eight rounds at Cape Town. Also, light flies Sibulele Soboois (3-0) and Zizo Scoti (1-3-1) meet six; minimumweights Olwethu Mkhathala (2-0) and Emma Mohono (0-2); flyweights Likho Nxele (1-0) and Noxoic Magagula (0-2) meet six; and bantams Sonelo Mbombo (0-0) and Rethabile Tshepe (0-0) meet four.

On Sunday Sept. 21, minimumweights Hanna Von Wirth (2-1) and Hariet Mtende (1-6) meet four rounds at Johannesburg.

 

Spain

On Friday Sept. 19, light flies Keylin Maradiaga (12-0-1) and Estefania Matute (11-24-0)8) meet eight rounds at Aranda de Duero.

 

Tanzania

On Saturday Sept. 20, lightweights Feriche Mashaury (11-8-1) and Christina Raura (1-0-1) meet six rounds at Dar es Salaam.

 

Thailand

Blessing Bukola (10-0) knocked out Wanasanan Onuch (7-6-2) in the second round on Sunday Sept. 14. The super fly fight took place in Pathum Thani. Also, light fly Apek Buddee (3-0) knocked out Satirat Kurdthone (0-2) in two; bantam Tanwarat Saengiamjit (14-10-1) knocked out Kodchakon Thiai (0-2) in two.

Pattarawadee Somkaeo (1-1) defeated Thanathorn Nueanphimal (0-1) by majority decision after four on Saturday Sept. 13. The minimumweight fight was held in Bangkok.

 

United Kingdom

Molly McCann (1-0) knocked out Kate Radomska (4-8) in six on Saturday Sept. 13. The bantamweight fight took place in Belfast, Northern, Ireland.

Stevi Levi (14-4) beat Gemma Ruegg (8-16-1) in eight on Saturday Sept. 13. The super bantamweight match was held in Cannock.

Jayne Bardauskas (3-0) beat Naila Peloso (1-15-1) in six on Friday Sept. 12. The lightweight fight took place in Barnsley.

Ruth Huntley (2-1) defeated Kira Carter (0-21-1) in four on Thursday Sept. 11. The super bantam fight was held in Lancaster Terrace.

On Saturday Sept. 20, lightweights Kacie Doocey (1-0) and Rajwant Kaur (5-4) meet six rounds at Rotherham. Also, welters Bree Burbeary (5-0) and Bojana Libiszewska (7-71) meet six; and bantams Billy Jarmolinski (0-0) and Kira Carter (0-21-1) meet four.

 

USA

On Wednesday Sept. 17, middleweights Carmen Guliksen (2-1) and Sonya Dreiling (6-9) meet four rounds at Richmond, Virginia.

On Friday Sept. 19, super bantams Reina Tellez (12-0-1) and Mayela Perez (20-29-4) meet eight rounds at Orlando, Florida.

On Friday Sept. 19, middleweights Olivia Curry (4-2-1) and Kaye Scott (4-1) meet 10 rounds for the vacant WBC world title at Detroit. Also, feathers Jelena Mrdjenovich (43-12-2) and Liliana Martinez (25-22) meet eight rounds; super lights Savannah Trini (5-0) and Michaele Nogue (2-6-1) meet six; and super bantams Jasmine Hampton (0-0) and Midajah Rogers (0-1) meet four.

On Friday Sept. 19, bantams Jessica Radtke (1-2-2) and Isis Sio (0-0) meet four rounds at Hinckley, Minn.

On Saturday Sept. 20, flyweights Gabriela Fundora (16-0) and Alexas Kubicki (13-1) meet 10 rounds at Indio, Calif. Also, flyweights Adriana Pineiro (8-0) and Glorida Munguilla (8-1) meet eight rounds.

On Saturday Sept. 20, featherweights Tiara Brown (19-0) and Emma Gongora (10-3-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBC world title at Houston, Texas.