‘Unbelievable’ call ruins Tim Tszyu in nightmare ‘crime scene’ loss
Tim Tszyu’s Las Vegas debut has turned into a nightmare after his fight with Sebastian Fundora became a complete bloodbath.
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Tim Tszyu’s Las Vegas debut has turned into bloody nightmare, with the Aussie suffering the first loss of his career via split decision to Sebastian Fundora.
In what was meant to be his coming out party to America, the Aussie’s fight with Fundora flipped on its head when Tszyu sustained a cut on his forehead in the second round from a stray elbow tight in the clinches.
From then on it was a bloody war and a matter of survival for Tszyu as blood poured from the nasty gash all over his face.
The fight was allowed to continue and it went the distance, with Tszyu showing immense bravery to slug it out with Fundora as the ring turned into a crime scene with blood everywhere.
Tszyu’s vision was severely hampered by the blood on his face and while he landed solid shots, it all came down to the judges scorecards with the middle and late rounds too close to call.
In the end, Fundora was award the victory via split decision (116-112, 115-113, 112-116).
The 197cm American landed more punches but Tszyu will feel robbed after he dominated the first two rounds before he got cut.
Fundora, 26, claimed the WBC and WBO super welterweight titles in a stunning loss for Tszyu, who will likely demand a rematch in the coming months.
“I don’t want to say it comes with an asterisk, but boy did that cut change the tenor of this fight,” commentator Mauro Ranallo said.
The devastating loss is the first blemish on Tszyu’s previously perfect record, which now reads 24-1 (17KOs).
But the 29-year-old can hold his head high after agreeing to fight Fundora on just 12 days’ notice when veteran Keith Thurman pulled out with injury.
Had he won, Tszyu would have targeted the biggest names in boxing, including Errol Spence Jr and pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.
But his path to boxing superstardom has been brutally stopped, for now.
Tszyu’s dad Kostya never lost in Las Vegas, with his famous win against Zab Judah coming more than 20 years ago.
Tszyu was gracious in defeat, praising Fundora but admitting he was blinded by his blood.
“I couldn’t see but all credit goes to the man that won tonight,” he said.
“The momentum was rolling in the first two rounds then boom, you’re blinded completely.
“This is boxing. These things happen, it’s part of the sport. Congratulations to Fundora, he’s the new king at 154 (pounds).”
Tszyu said he’d fight “whoever, whenever”, calling out Spence and Crawford.
Fundora said: “He’s a world class fighter. It’s an honour to share the ring with him.”
Tszyu’s corner ‘might have cost him his career’
Commentators and boxing fans have slammed the decision not to stop the fight early when Tszyu sustained the cut to his head.
The referee spoke to the ringside doctor several times throughout the fight, but he was happy for the bout to continue.
Main Event’s Ben Damon wrote on X: “No point having a doctor if they aren’t willing to stop a fight when one man has been hit by an axe. Unbelievable this wasn’t stopped at the end of 2.”
Australian boxer Billy Dib posted: “This is ridiculous. This fight needs to be stopped. The amount of blood being lost is dangerous.”
Boxing promoter Lou DiBella said: “After this fight, there needs to be some analysis of the performance of Tszyu corner. They let the kid down.”
Fox Sports News’ Cody Kaye said “the cut changed everything.”
Rory Flanagan responded: “Tszyu’s corner might have just damaged his career.”
Phil Lutton added: “Feel like the doctor could have stopped that early given there was no way to stop the heavy bleeding.”
A boxing fight can be ruled a no contest if it is stopped before the end of four rounds, and if that happened on this occasion — Tszyu would not have a loss on his record.
While of course it’s possible for Tszyu to come back from a loss, defeats can be seriously damaging to a boxer’s career and star power.
The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel said: “I think a fit, blood free Tim Tszyu can win this fight still.
“He can win a rematch. He’s got the power. If he is just tactically more astute in a rematch, he can exact revenge.
“Tim Tszyu can rebuild from this. He’s not finished. He can fight back.”
Why Tszyu really lost
Former world champion Andre Ward was surprised Tszyu didn’t use his left hand to connect with bodyshots more often.
“I was very surprised because he would actually be in position to get close to Sebastian and the shot, the left hook, would be wide open and he just wouldn’t throw it,” Ward said on Main Event.
“I don’t know if it was the blood, if he just didn’t have confidence in it. But he seemed to nto be able to resist the desire to go to the head.
“I don’t know if it was the height, if he overestimated Fundora’s last fight and figured he didn’t have a chin anymore. But I think he could have made the fight a lot easier for himself.”
Tszyu vs Fundora round updates
Round 1: Here we go. Fundora has massive reach and the two fighters were almost stepping on his each other’s feet in a clash of their orthodox and southpaw stances.
“He’s got a built in selfie stick for reach,” commentator Mauro Ranallo quipped.
Fundora and Tszyu both landed body shots before Tszyu connected with a solid blow to Fundora’s head.
Ranallo exclaimed: “That right hand popping Fundora’s head back like a Pez dispenser!”
Round 2: Tszyu is doing what Tszyu does — he’s starting to find his range while Fundora is content to hold his defence.
Blood is streaming from a cut on Tszyu’s head caused by an accidental Fundora elbow tight in the clinches.
The ringside doctor is allowing Tszyu to continue for now but blood is flowing all over his head and face.
Abner Mares said: “Tszyu is going to have to take some chances, he doesn’t know if this fight might get stopped.”
Joe Goossen said: “Tszyu ran himself into the elbow. It’s urgent Tszyu gets this done.”
Round 3: This is turning into a literal bloodbath amid fears the fight could be stopped early.
Tszyu is wiping his eyes because the blood is impairing his vision.
The fight must go four rounds for it to be judged a no decision.
Round 4: Fundora won the fourth round as he settled into a rhythm with his jabs.
The fight is arguably even on points as it heads into a fifth round.
Fight commentator Abner Mares said: “He’s a bloody mess. It’s impairing his vision.”
Mares went on to say: “It’s changed everything. Because he was on a roll.”
Round 5: An even round but Tszyu needs to land more body shots if he is to win on points.
Joe Goossen described it as a “blood and guts” clash as Tszyu continues to lose blood. Fundora is also bleeding from his nose and mouth.
Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings called for “another towel for the face” in his corner.
Tszyu’s wound on his head is being patched up between rounds but it begins leaking as soon as he resumes fighting.
Round 6: Tszyu might need a knockout to win the way this fight is going.
Fundora is taking control of the middle rounds with effective combinations and is likely ahead on the scorecards.
Abner Mares said in commentary:“Tim Tszyu’s missing more than usual. I haven’t seen him miss this much.”
Round 7: Both fighters are landing well but all these rounds could be scored 10-9 in Fundora’s favour.
The Aussie’s timing is off but he is connecting with solid body shots when he does punch Fundora.
The doctors are asking Fundora if he can breathe, with his corner trying to stem the bleeding from his nose with cotton buds.
Fundora leads the punch count 113-99.
Round 8: Tszyu is landing well but it’s a nightmare trying to punch Fundora with blood pouring down his face.
Joe Goossen said: “You can’t take away from what Fundora is doing but Tim Tszyu became a much different fighter when his face became a crimson mess.”
His co-commentator said: “He’s trying to parry punches and wipe his face at the same time. It’s really tough.”
It could well be four rounds apiece on the scorecard as this goes down to the wire.
Round 9: Fundora likely won that round 10-9. Tszyu must produce a knockout or go to another level to win on the scorecards.
Round 10: Tim Tszyu is lifting, we’ll give him that round 10-9 even though Fundora came back at the end there.
He landed a beautiful one-two combination in a fight Ranallo likened to a “crime scene.”
Round 11: Another very even round that could go either way. This will come down to how the judges scored the middle rounds.
Fundora is landing more punches but Tszyu’s blows are heavier.
Round 12: Tszyu went for the knockout, swinging for the fences but Fundora returned fire to conclude the epic, bloody slugfest. It all comes down to the judges’ scorecards.
“The character, the guts, the will from Tim Tszyu on full display,” Mauro Ranallo said.
1.25pm – Tszyu fight just moments away
Tim Tszyu’s fight with Sebastian Fundora is just moments away after Isaac Cruz defeated Rolly Romero via TKO in their epic super lightweight clash in the co-main event.
Tszyu is doing the final touches of his preparation in his dressing room and will walk out to the ring shortly.
12.30pm – Zerafa demolished in brutal KO
Australia’s Michael Zerafa’s world title hopes were brutally dashed in six minutes after Erislandy Lara knocked him out with one second left in the second round.
With the WBA middleweight title on the line, 40-year-old Lara looked a class above in the early stages before delivering a killer left hook that sent Zerafa crashing to the canvas.
The 32-year-old Aussie was stunned by the blow, shaking his head at the referee before stumbling to his feet against the ropes before the fight was stopped.
The commentator exclaimed: “There it is on cue. Mama mia!”
“In lightning quick fashion, the Cuban missile of Erislandy Lara starches Michael Zerafa.”
Watch Zerafa’s KO loss in the video player above.
Zerafa, who is best known for pulling out of a fight against Tszyu in 2021, could find his career in tatters after the brutal loss.
Megan Barnard said on Main Event: “Heartbreak for Michael Zerafa, who has his dream of a world title shattered.”
12.15pm – Fears for ‘edgy’ Tszyu
Tim Tszyu has arrived at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena ahead of the biggest test of his career.
He told Main Event’s Ben Damon: “I’m eager. I’ve got a lot of blood boiling.”
The Main Event commentary team said Tszyu looked “edgy” and the 20cm height difference he’s giving up to Fundora would be a huge challenge.
Megan Barnard said: “He does look a bit edgy, a touch nervy maybe.”
The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel said: “I worry about the height. I think the differential will be too much. I hope I’m wrong. He (Fundora) is a man mountain. We have never seen a height differential like this.”
Former world champion Andre Ward added: “Tim Tszyu has to find a way to solve this puzzle. There is no Errol Spence or Terence Crawford if he doesn’t solve this puzzle.”
12pm – Aussie stars’ arrival delayed
Michael Zerafa revealed he and Tim Tszyu were stuck outside T-Mobile Arena in the rain as they couldn’t find the entrance to the venue.
“It was a little bit unorganised,” Zerafa said.
“Me and Tim Tszyu’s team were all out the front trying to get in. We were getting wet.
“We’re the show here today. It was a little bit unfortunate, but we’re here now and no hurdles left to jump.”
9.30am — Sydney superfight would shatter all records
A world will open to Tim Tszyu if he can overcome Sebastian Fundora — but the biggest offer may draw him back home.
Dream fights with pound for pound king Terence Crawford or superstar Errol Spence appeared the likely destination for Tszyu’s next opponent — but a wildcard option could be on the table.
The Sunday Telegraph first reported NSW Premier Chris Minns is supporting a push to bring Tszyu’s next fight to Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
It remains unclear as to whether Crawford would consider leaving the United States to fight Tszyu, but the offer to fight Tszyu in front of 40,000 fans at the redeveloped stadium could be hard to say no to — especially if the price is right.
According to the report it would cost around $35 million to stage the event.
Tszyu told News Corp he was excited by the idea and described it as a “proper mega-fight”.
8am — Tszyu in fiery pre-fight incident with ‘weasel’
Tim Tszyu was caught up in a heated row with Sebastian Fundora’s manager prior to his huge world title press conference inside the MGM Grand here in Las Vegas, telling the famed agent: “You disrespected me.”
Australia’s boxing poster boy also took a swipe at Fundora himself, saying he couldn’t believe the towering American would allow himself to be eating “s**t” like pizza days out from a world title fight.
Prior to the press conference it was famed boxing manager Sampson Lewkowicz – aka, the man who discovered Manny Pacquiao – who was in Tszyu’s crosshairs.
Surprised onlookers watched on as the pair were involved in a heated, if brief, exchange where Tszyu went at it with the man he has already branded “the weasel” this week.
The showdown came only 24 hours after Lewkowicz suggested he would no longer be bringing Fundora Down Under for a rematch when he unifies, and suggested Tszyu may even have to take another fight before they clash again.
As a result, things got lively when the pair finally met up for the first time before a huge press conference inside the sprawling MGM Grand ballroom.
Asked by Fox Sports Australia what was said between the two, Tszyu replied: “I just said ‘you disrespected me’.
“Told him ‘you said when we beat you we’ll come down to Australia’.
“I told him that ain’t happening.
“And I started calling him the weasel because he is a weasel.”
FULL FIGHT CARD
Tim Tszyu v Sebastian Fundora — for the WBO and WBC super welterweight title
Isaac Cruz def Rolly Romero via TKO — for WBA super lightweight title
Erislandy Lara def Michael Zerafa via KO — for WBA middleweight title
Julio Cesar Martinez def Angelino Cordova via majority decision — for the WBC flyweight title
Serhii Bohachuk def Brian Mendoza via UD — for the interim WBC super welterweight title
TALE OF THE TAPE
Tim Tszyu
Age: 29
Record: 24-0 (14KOs)
Height: 174cm
Reach 179cm
Stance: Orthodox
Sebastian Fundora
Age: 26
Record: 20-1-1 (13KO)
Height: 197cm
Reach 203cm
Stance: Southpaw
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