By David Galaviz –
PHOENIX —Gabriella “Sweet Poison” Fundora (12-0, 5 KOs), of Coachella CA, will make her first defense of the IBF flyweight belt Saturday night at Footprint Center, the home of the Phoenix Suns.
Fundora will take on challenger Cristina Cruz (6-0), of New York. When asked by reporters how does she build off her huge 2023 year into 2024, she said she wants to defend her title as many times as possible with the goal of becoming undisputed.
When asked about the Current WBC, Ring, WBA, and WBO Flyweight champion Marlen Esparza (14-1 1KO), she stated:
“Let’s Go.”
She’s not overlooking her opponent on Saturday’s DAZN-streamed card featuring Jaime Munguia-John Ryder. That would be dangerous mistake. Cruz is an undefeated fighter coming off of a unanimous decision in October. Cruz is looking to shock the boxing world like Fundora did in her last fight with a fifth-round KO to obtain the IBF title.
Do not let that big smile fool you. She calls herself “Sweet Poison” for a reason. When entering the ring, the smile is gone. She turned on the poison, the power in her nickname.
The Fundora name is well-known. The family has a long line of boxers, starting with their father. He then passed it down to his son Sebastian Fundora and Gabriella. They look to be the game’s next top family. Both kids have held multiple world titles in their respective weight divisions.
Sebastian is coming off a devastating loss to Brian Mendoza, which he lost his junior-middle title. Looking to rebound, Sebastian is going to be on the undercard of the Timothy Tszyu-Keith Thurman card March 30th in Las Vegas where he will take on Serhii Bohachuck for the WBC Super Welterweight title.
