Tim Tszyu eyes Big Apple debut if Fundora remath is in the USA
A stadium show in Australia, a return to Vegas, or one of boxing’s most iconic venues in the Big Apple have emerged as potential sites for Tim Tszyu’s rematch with Sebastian Fundora.
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New York’s world famous Madison Square Garden has emerged as a potential venue for Tim Tszyu’s rematch with Sebastian Fundora as the ‘Soul Taker’ considers exacting revenge on American soil.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has suspended Tszyu from fighting until May 15, while Fundora is provisionally banned until September 27 in the wake of last Sunday’s bloodbath at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
Tszyu has embarked on a Hawaiian holiday with his fiancee following his heroic split-decision loss to Fundora, whose accidental elbow left the Australian with a shocking gash that required 10 stitches.
As revealed by this masthead, a rematch clause is in place and Fundora’s promoter Sampson Lewkowicz initially indicated the ‘Towering Inferno’ was prepared to defend his WBO and WBC world titles in Australia.
But Tszyu’s promoter, No Limit boss George Rose, told News Corp the deposed Australian world champion will not shy away from a rematch in the US if Fundora, now holding the aces, refuses to travel Down Under.
No Limit will explore several options in fresh negotiations with Lewkowicz. They include a stadium show in Australia, a return to Vegas, or Fundora-Tszyu II in the Big Apple at one of boxing’s most iconic venues.
“To be honest, we wouldn’t mind where the rematch takes place,” Rose said.
“We were very happy with the Vegas experience as far as fight preparation went. We love doing world-class events in Australia, but Tim loved being in Vegas and we are certainly open to doing the rematch in America.
“We wouldn’t rule out a rematch in Vegas but we’re open to looking at other locations in the US.
“The east coast (of America) has two great locations in Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Centre, they are opportunities we would certainly consider.
“It (Madison Square Garden) is a bucket-list place that I know Tim would want to tick off, but we haven’t locked anything in yet.”
No Limit originally had plans for Tszyu to return to the ring in June or July, but that could be delayed given the physical damage both men sustained in the Sin City slugfest.
Tszyu has been sidelined by NSAC for six weeks, while Fundora will be permitted to fight as early as May 15 if his broken nose is assessed and cleared by an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Lewkowicz insists the rematch agreement is only verbal, and one he will “honour”, but sources insist Team Tszyu had a formal clause inserted into the fight contract which was signed by Fundora’s camp.
An Australian rematch at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium or Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium would give Tszyu a major home-ground advantage, but Rose says the 29-year-old is not daunted by fighting in enemy territory.
He is confident Tszyu will not be dudded by American boxing politics amid a push for pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford, the WBO mandatory, to face Fundora next.
“They have agreed to the rematch,” Rose said.
“I don’t know how soon Fundora will be ready.
“Errol Spence and Crawford have shown big interest in coming to 154 (super welterweight) and the best two fights for them are against Tim and Fundora in that division.
“We don’t mind the idea of cruising around the globe and taking people on in their backyards.
“Tim made a name for himself in the US with that performance and while we love our shows in Australia, he would love to fight in America again.”
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