Bohachuk Uncertain About Victory Over Fundora

In an interview with XSPORT, WBC "interim" super welterweight champion (up to 69.9 kg) Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) discussed the change of opponent and the fight against Bryan Mendoza (22-4, 16 KOs).

– Serhii, how did you and your team adjust the camp when you found out about the new opponent, who is quite different in characteristics from Fundora, a week before its conclusion?

– Yes, of course, we were preparing for Fundora and all his characteristics, and then two weeks before the fight we had to switch to Mendoza. However, it was not difficult for me because Bryan is a southpaw, he is short, and I mainly spar with fighters like that regularly. So, it was easy to adjust. If it were the other way around - preparing for Mendoza and then being told it would be Fundora, I don't know if we would take the fight or not. Probably not, you need to prepare for Seba's characteristics for a long time.

– How did you then think to yourself, would it be more comfortable to box with Mendoza than it would have been with Fundora?

– Honestly, I thought it would be easier with him. But in the ring with him, you need to be careful because he hits hard. He charges up for a punch, he can wait, he might be losing the fight on points, and then at the right moment, land a precise hit. This made him dangerous, so I tried to be as attentive as possible and didn't go for an exchange.

– You pressured Bryan with pressing, practically didn't step back, didn't give him a second to breathe freely. Was that the plan?

– Yes, that was exactly the plan. I was supposed to constantly pressure him, not back away from him, but considering he could meet me hard, I had to do it wisely.

– However, it was noticeable that he is an experienced boxer, right? Very tough, knows what and when to do in the ring.

– Yes, it was noticeable. He's experienced, cunning in a boxing sense, and knowledgeable. And as I already said, he can also hit. For me, it was a great fight and a big experience.

– Are you satisfied with your boxing specifically?

– I am satisfied with my boxing, pleased with how I worked in defense. How we practiced all these moments in the gym, just as I worked them out in the fight. I tried to get hit as little as possible and press intelligently. So, once again - yes, I am pleased with my fight.

On the night of March 31, Bohachuk was initially set to face Sebastian Fundora. However, Fundora replaced Keith Thurman in the main fight and faced Tim Tszyu instead. Fundora won by a judges' decision and became the unified champion, while Bohachuk, after defeating Bryan Mendoza, became the WBC "interim" champion.