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Debate

Can Gabriela Fundora maintain her reign, or will Marlen Esparza's experience dethrone the young champion?

Youngest heavyweight champion—Mike Tyson. That’s a fact fans remember to date. Now Gabriela Fundora has given them something else to remember—the youngest undisputed champion in boxing history. She clinched all the belts at the flyweight division after defeating Gabriela Celeste Alaniz and thus etched her name in the history books. But the American boxer is just getting started and will start looking for a new challenge. Adding more gold straps has only added more names to her list of potential suitors.

Fundora, 22, made the best use of her height and reach as she did a demolition job on Alaniz, 28, dropping her twice and eventually stopping her in the seventh round. She now holds all the marbles at 112. But against whom will she defend her crown next? Who is next in line to contest for undisputed glory? Scroll down and find out.

Gabriela Fundora vs. Marlen Esparza

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Fundora, at 15-0, now holds the belts that once belonged to Marlen Esparza except the IBF title. The fellow American fighter has showcased her class since her amateur career, as she won the Olympic bronze and carried the same momentum into her professional career. Esparza, 35, is coming off a loss to Alaniz as they fought and tried to unify the titles. But with Aniz sidelined, she is at the forefront to challenge for the titles that once belonged to her.

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It might be a compelling contest and a tough challenge for Fundora, who might have to deal with Esparza’s technical superiority and defensive approach to fighting. In addition, the challenger has the experience that Fundora lacks right now. So, the former champion has every tool to make it an exciting matchup. It would be exciting to see how Esparza might deal with the towering stature of Fundora and her reach. However, the matchup might not happen immediately if Alaniz presses and campaigns for a rematch.

Gabriela Fundora vs. Gabriela Celeste Alaniz

How about Fundora and Alaniz run it back? It’s a compelling idea and might benefit all the parties involved. After all, Alaniz brought all the belts except one to the table and troubled Fundora in the middle rounds, even buzzing her. But Fundora stuck around and found her rhythm and caught Alaniz lacking with her hooks.

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Can Gabriela Fundora maintain her reign, or will Marlen Esparza's experience dethrone the young champion?

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With an electrifying encounter already behind them, there is now another added flavor of revenge, and the undisputed glory will again be on the line. It’s the most practical match to make on the list, and neither boxer would have qualms about the rematch. But when will it happen? Alaniz needs to rethink the fight, see where she went wrong, and implement the learnings. In between, there could be someone who might exercise her mandatory status and keep Fundora entertained.

Meeting the WBC mandatory: Kenia Enriquez

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Kenia Enriquez is your typical Mexican fighter, who had been the WBO flyweight champion in the past and now holds the right to challenge Fundora because of the interim WBC flyweight title she earned last year in September. While she continues to wait, she might finally be in a position to mount a challenge for the undisputed gold. With her aggression, pressure fighting, and volume punching, coupled with her experience fighting the top competition, she could test Fundora’s capabilities and her boxing prowess.

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In addition, the Tijuana native is on a 15-fight win streak and has already gone through the ropes this year. Therefore, Enriquez poses a unique challenge to Fundora. Given Enriquez’s WBC mandatory status, this fight could be easier to make and also ensure Fundora doesn’t lose the undisputed title outside the ring. But will this fight happen? It all depends on Fundora’s camp. Whatever fight she picks next, you could imagine her giving her best and trying to shield her titles.

What do you make of this list of potential suitors for Gabriela Fundora? Who do you think she will fight next? Let us know in the comments below.

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