Retirement, Zerafa, drastic changes? What’s next for Tim Tszyu after world title loss to Sebastian Fundora

As the magnitude of his latest crushing loss to Sebastian Fundora sinks in, Tim Tszyu is asking himself one question: what happens now? Everything is on the table. And it could be extreme.

Tim Tszyu was released from hospital late on Saturday night, Las Vegas time, and drove back to the Airbnb he has been staying at for the past two weeks.

He spent that night decompressing with his wife, Alex, and good mate and chef Omar Iferd.

At some point, after the magnitude of his seventh round stoppage defeat to Sebastian Fundora sinks in, the Soul Taker must begin thinking about what’s next.

His camp and promoters kept a low profile the day after the fight, with calls and texts going unanswered.

Tszyu’s three losses in his last four fights have come against Sebastian Fundora – who Tszyu anointed as the best super-welterweight on the planet – and Bakhram Murtazaliev, who is on the podium.

Tszyu went out swinging. Picture: No Limit Boxing

There have been mistakes and missteps over the last 16 months, since Fundora replaced Keith Thurman on late notice and handed Tszyu his first professional defeat.

The road back to the top is unclear, but there are a few options on the table for the Aussie warrior.

Retire

At 30 years old, this is the most drastic of his options, but something that must at least be considered.

Tszyu has made good money in the sport, and with a good team around him, has surely set himself up.

In the ring, it doesn’t appear Tszyu has the punch resistance he once had, and after three gruelling fights in the last 16 months, someone must ask the question of how much is too much.

Fundora was too good. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Change teams

Tszyu is fiercely loyal, and has stuck with the same core team that got him to the top in the first place.

It’s a small and incredibly close-knit crew.

Which means making personnel changes would be brutal.

After three losses in four fights, could a change be the best option as he rebuilds his career?

Michael Zerafa

A fight years in the making, it still makes sense purely because of the history of bad blood between them.

Tszyu said he’d never fight Zerafa after their scheduled bout in 2021 fell through, and the pair have been taking potshots at each other ever since.

Zerafa actually sent Tszyu a classy message moments after the loss, urging Tszyu to rebuild and get back in the ring.

It’s still the biggest domestic fight that can be made.

Will we now finally get the Tszyu vs Zerafa grudge match? Pictures: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

Middleweight

Tszyu has always said he’ll move to middleweight at some point in the future.

Perhaps that time is now.

It’s a far weaker division than super-welterweight too.

New looks

If a wholesale change of teams is off the table, at least get a few new looks elsewhere.

On Saturday night, Keith Thurman said Tszyu is a big fish in a small pond in Australia, and doesn’t get enough top-level sparring.

Spend some time experiencing different coaching, sparring and routines overseas.

There are plenty of gyms and trainers to choose from.

Time off

At the very least, he should take some time off. Get away from the sport for a while and get his head right.

UFC superstar Alex Volkanovski did the same thing on the back of consecutive knockout losses, then came back in supreme form.

Alex Volkanovski took more than a year off before winning the UFC featherweight title again. Picture: Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Volkanovski said he gained some perspective over his time off, and it made him a better fighter.

They’re not quite in the same situation, with Volkanovski six years older, but Tszyu looks up to the featherweight world champion, and could take some tips from him.

Keith Thurman

You can argue that the biceps injury that forced Keith Thurman out of his scheduled fight with Tszyu in March last year started the Aussie’s slide.

Fundora stepped in on 12 days’ notice, cut Tszyu with an elbow and forever altered his career.

There was a five minute window before the end of the fourth round when the first Fundora fight could have been stopped and ruled a no-contest. That opportunity was missed, and here we are.

Keith Thurman beats Brock Jarvis. Pictures: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

Tszyu and Thurman were then slated to fight on the Gold Coast this month, before the Fundora rematch popped up.

Thurman was quick to slam Tszyu, just minutes after his second defeat to Fundora, and the loudmouthed American then promised to end his career.

The storyline is already there.

Tim vs Nikita

Brotherly Glove!

They were banned from sparring for years, but it’s a fight the fans want to see.

Originally published as Retirement, Zerafa, drastic changes? What’s next for Tim Tszyu after world title loss to Sebastian Fundora