Fundora, known for his aggressive style and his six-foot-six-inch height, captured the WBC championship in dramatic fashion against Tim Tszyu. Thurman, on the other hand, sought to revive his career after a period of inactivity following his defeat to Manny Pacquiao. Thurman, a Florida veteran, previously unified the WBA and WBC welterweight titles and now aimed for a championship in a second division.
The main event was scheduled for 12 rounds, and the preliminary fights were set for 10 rounds, adding excitement to the evening. The anticipation was high, with fans eager to see how the fight between two great boxers would unfold.