Is Gabriela Fundora the future of women's boxing? (Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy / Getty Images)
(Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy via Getty Images)
“Everyone and their mom want to fight me now!”
Gabriela Fundora (15-0, 7 KB) marvels from thought with an enriched brand smile on her face. “I guess it's fun to be chased, instead of the hunter!”
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She sits standing on the Ring apron inside the family's tailor -made training center. In the shadow of the Tehachapi mountains, California, the Fundora configuration – led by his father and chief coach, Freddy – is isolated and humiliating.
Miles of wild nature surround the complex. Bear, deer and mountain lions are the closest things they can call the neighbors.
At the time of our conversation, The 23 -year -old is just 10 days before the first defense of its undisputed world titles at 112 pounds. By lack of tension in his body, you won't know.
“This is why we are in boxing,” she continues. “It is for moments like this. To Main Event for the first time is such an honor for me, but it was always my goal. Know that people paid to see Me is quite special.
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Fundora's 16th enemy as a professional will be Marilyn Barillo (19-0-1, 3 KB), currently classified as the candidate for Mouches n ° 1 weights by the IBF and the WBO, who was fighting in Cuautitlan Izcalli, in Mexico. The 25 -year -old opponent brings an unbeaten record at the Frontwave Arena on Saturday evening in Oceanside, California, fighting at home for the first time in eight years in the paid ranks.
Last year, Fundora – N ° 5 books for non-couronne book in the world – Remains at the top of the fly weight division, joining the WBA, WBC and WBO titles with its IBF title already detained to become the youngest undeniable world champion in the era with four Celture, independently of the genre. Knockout wins in world title fights against Aly Mucino, Christina Cruz and Gabriela Celeste Alaniz have lowered her head with the lower weights.
“(I'm headlining) because I can win a fight in several ways, it will stand out from boxing fans,” said Fundora. “This is what I want – so that fans go home after a fight and remember me. If it is by the ko, then great – as long as they go home knowing my name, then I did my job.
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“I had this hard work ethics which instilled in my family all my life. We work as a team, a unit, and my success is their success. They all made such sacrifices so that I can arrive where I am today, so my goal is to reimburse them in the only way I know how: by winning fights.
“The relationship with my father merges,” she continues, turning right to look at the Honcho head which is less than one foot of the champion. “He is first of all a father, but a coach a very close second. But in both aspects, I have so much respect and love for him. I put it on a pedestal as a father; Like, he is the greatest thing in the world for me. And with that comes the confidence that we can fight when he is the voice in my corner. It is without living conditions.
“But my mother is the brain behind everything. She boxed when she was younger, so it's really a family affair. We were able to travel the world in family amateurs, which was simply incredible. Few families can say that. It is good that she could come with shows and things, and obtain the recognition she deserves in our team.”
Gabriela refers to the price of the fighter of the year she received at the Ring Magazine 2024 in London – a distinction that brought her, and her family, immense pride. Fundora also captured Fighter of the year honors for without crown.
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At the end of the event in January, Fundora was represented among a Who's Who of the boxes of the great and the present. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Roberto Duran, Oleksandr Usyk, Frank Warren – The scene was dripping from titles and achievements. What is striking is that she was the only woman included in the blow.
“Now, I have a little taste for that, it only makes me want to continue and realize more,” she added, admitting that there were perhaps “fangirling” in progress. “I have never had the mentality to simply settle on what I accomplished – I want to continue and push as hard as possible. If you were to go up the clock and tell me how my 2024 would work, I suppose I would be a little Surprised by the speed with which it happened, because I am still only young. But realizing what I have always been the goal, and now I take advantage of the little glitter that come with success.
Gabriela Fundora sent Gabriela Alaniz in November to make history as the youngest undisputed boxing champion. (Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy / Getty Images)
(Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy via Getty Images)
“”Women's boxing is in a great place for the moment And I want to be the one who inspires a new generation. Claressed Shields, Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, Skye Nicholson, Chantelle Cameron – These fighters all make a big splash on the stage at the moment. But I think there is a lot of pie to get around us all.
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“I want to be the new face of sport. I want people to come to my fights just to look at me, without worrying about my opponent or the rest of the bill. This is what I want my inheritance to be. “
Gabriela is flanked by her brother Sebastian, 27, who organizes two world championships in Super Welterweight, and her 10 -year -old sister Fabiola. She insists that the youngest of the three will be the largest star, citing the average left hooks of Fabiola and the nickname of the “twisted sister”.
“Fabiola told me the other day that she wanted to become the youngest undisputed world champion – so in about eight years, you would better be careful,” she said. “She already looks phenomenal and has so much experience on my part and Sebastian. Imagine what she can do, she will blow up everyone out of the water.”
Gabriela insists that this Saturday's fight was not particularly made within a short time, but it is always a credit for the Fundora philosophy that they are able to remain so active. The fighting is not only a work for the family, it is a lifestyle – the camps do not exist when you remain ready.
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“It's like flashing or breathing,” she explains. “There is no switching. Boxing is only part of me and I will always do it or think about it. ”
With the championships, Gabriela likes to hear fighters call her name for future potential fights. As you would expect, she is not willing to be in a hurry on “What then” if she succeeds against Barillo, but perhaps unexpectedly, a movement in the opposite direction could be on the cards.
“I come in a large part of my fights,” says Fundora, smiling again. “I would like to move down A light weight before going up. I feel like I can take the opportunity now while I'm still young and try to make more history. I mean, who goes down in weight?! Whoever has the belt at 108 (books), I would be interested. »»
We finish with the predictions. The champion does not want to show his hand, but expects to maintain his titles. “I don't really make predictions. If Sebastian is fighting then, of course, “she said, laughing. I counter the time by wondering what Sebastian would predict and she answers with “Knockout”.
On Saturday evening, we will discover if Big Brother knows the best.
