Tim Tszyu bombshell as world title snub takes a massive twist

Hours after confirmation Tim Tszyu won’t get a re-match, the Australian’s career is reportedly, suddenly heading in a new direction.

Tim Tszyu is going to take the long, hard road back to the top.

Hours after news emerged the Australian will not get a second shot at Sebastian Fundora, widespread reports state talks have begun for Tszyu to fight Vergil Ortiz Jr in Las Vegas in August.

The 29-year-old’s career is suddenly heading in a new direction after the WBO announced US pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford will be next in line to fight Fundora for his super welterweight crown.

Tszyu has been medically suspended from fighting in Las Vegas until May 15 following his bloody war with Fundora last month where the new champ also suffered a broken nose.

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Fundora’s camp said after the fight that the 1.97m American would not step back into the ring until November.

WBO executives released a statement on Tuesday morning announcing it will sanction Crawford’s planned August 3 bout against WBA champ Israil Madrimov as a WBO interim title fight with the winner to fight Fundora later this year.

It means any hope Tszyu had of an immediate re-match with Fundora has been dashed.

Instead he is reportedly expected to feature as the co-main event on the Crawford mega-fight night, which will also feature former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr, to be held in Los Angeles on August 3.

For the Tszyu-Ortiz Jr fight to take place, Ortiz must first win this weekend’s fight against Thomas Dulorme.

Tim Tszyu’s fight with Sebastian Fundora will not be forgotten. Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images.

Tszyu’s brave decision to turn his attention to Ortiz — an undefeated fighter — has been widely praised, but has also been described as dangerous.

Ortiz, a former welterweight world champ, has moved to the superwelterweight division after crushing every opponent put in front of him in the lower weight class.

He has a perfect 20-0 record with all 20 wins coming via knockout.

It has been an extraordinary series of unfortunate events for Tszyu, who could easily have retained his title against Fundora if not for the accidental elbow that opened up a deep cut at the top of his forehead in Round 2.

Had Tszyu’s camp stopped the fight before the fourth round, the Sydney-sider could have walked away with a “no-contest” ruling

The ringside physician twice inspected Tszyu’s head during the fight and both times allowed the fight to continue.

Tim Tszyu with partner Alexandra Constantine. Photo by Matt Roberts/mattrimages.com.au/No Limit Boxing.

The Aussie also said there was no chance he would have allowed his camp to try to have the fight stopped early.

His career would be in a very different place right now if they had.

No Limit Boxing boss George Rose insisted after the Fundora fight that a re-match clause was in place for Tszyu to fight the “Towering Inferno” again, but the promoter didn’t have much to say about Tszyu’s plans when asked this week.

“Boxing is one of those sports where a lot can change in 24 hours,” he told foxsports.com.au.

“And right now we’ve got a lot going on (with Tim Tszyu).

“But until we have something certified and confirmed ... well, nothing is a guarantee in this sport until it is.”

There were suggestions earlier this month that Tszyu could still try to bring his next fight back to Australia with reports the NSW and Queensland state governments were prepared to offer big money to stage Tszyu’s next fight in Sydney or Brisbane.

It seems the “Soul Taker” is taking the harder road.

Originally published as Tim Tszyu bombshell as world title snub takes a massive twist