Tim Tszyu takes aim at ‘boring’ superstars’, towering rival as epic Pacquiao card launched in US

Tim Tszyu’s rematch against the man who has stunned him in a bloodbath been locked in on a card also featuring Manny Pacquaio.

Australia’s Tim Tszyu has taken a not-so-subtle dig at some of the biggest names in world boxing – branding their fights “boring” – at a huge Las Vegas press conference where, alongside the Manny Pacquaio, he also promised to revive the “crazy” defining some of the legend’s most memorable fights.

Currently in the US to promote his upcoming July 20 (AEST) blockbuster against WBC super welterweight champ Sebastian Fundora, Tszsyu also vowed to steal the show in a rematch that “fans will still remember in 15 years” while also sharing a surprise interaction with the famed US agent he has previously dubbed “The Weasel”.

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More than a year on from losing his WBO strap to Fundora in world title bloodbath, Tszyu is finally set for the rematch – and on the same card where Pacquaio challenges WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. The card will be held at Vegas’ MGM Grand.

Early on Sunday morning (Australian time), all four fighters attended a press conference inside the Mandalay Bay casino to announce the upcoming card, which doubles as Tszyu’s first time back in the US since being stopped by IBF champ Bakhram Murtazaliev last October.

Apart from praising Fundora for adhering to a rematch clause the two teams had in place, Tszyu also had what appeared to be a pleasant exchange with the champ’s agent Sampson Lewkowicz after the face offs on stage.

During the build to their first fight at the T-Mobile Arena last year, Tszyu famously branded Lewkowicz a “weasel”, with the agent soon after hitting back to accuse both Team Tszyu and No Limit of “disrespecting my fighter”.

However, there were far more amicable scenes at the press conference as Lewkowicz grinned and appeared to shake hands with Tszyu, before also embracing No Limit CEO George Rose on stage.

Yet when it came to how the replay goes down, Tszyu promised to bring a crazy fight that fans will still be talking about in 15 years.

When asked his objectives for the Fundora replay, The Soul Taker replied that he not only wanted to win, but do so in the same sort of style that defined Pacquiao’s famed trilogy with Erik Morales.

“My main objective of course is to win,” he said.

“To win in dominant fashion.

“(But) it’s also to bring the fight that fans want.

“As a young kid, you dream of watching crazy fights.

Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora will fight again in July. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“You remember things like Castillo-Corrales, Pacquaia-Morales.

“You remember these fights and that’s what I intend to do, bring something that the fans will remember in 10 years, 15 years.

“When kids of kids will be replaying the fight.

“And I think this is the fight, this is the night to do it on.”

Tszyu also didn’t hold back when asked by the press conference MC if he missed the world title that was dropped in his initial bloodbath with Fundora, that saw lose only via split decision, despite suffering a nasty head cut late in round two.

“It’s not just the belt,” the Australian started.

“It’s the opposition and the type of fights that you’re in.

“When you fight someone like this guy (Fundora), it’s never easy.

“And I’m looking forward to bringing those types of fights.

“Because with those type of fights come accolades like world titles and stuff like that

“Being at the very top of the division.

“And that’s my purpose right now.

“To get to the very top of the super welterweight division.

“And right now Fundora is the number one man.”

Yet the best line came when Tszyu was asked what chance he and Fundora were of stealing the show on a card boasting the likes of Pacquiao, Barrios, even Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz?

“Recently the fights I’ve come across, they’ve been boring,” Tszyu replied in an obvious nod to recent bouts involving Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, even the legendary Canelo Alvarez.

“And this card is definitely not boring.

“From that start with Pitbull, to the end with Pacquiao and Barrios – and in the middle with me and Fundora – this is going to be the card.

“And we are probably going to be the fight.

“We’ve (also) got Pitbull to compete with in terms of fight on the night but it’s one hell of a show and I’m honoured to be on here.”

Elsewhere, Tszyu and Fundora also disagreed when asked on how their rematch would play out.

“This is going to be round 13 with Tim Tszyu,” Fundora stated.

“It was a great fight last time and I’m excited to show the world another great fight.”

Tszyu, however, had a different take.

“First of all I’d like to thank Sebastian Fundora for honouring his rematch,” the Sydneysider said.

“He could’ve gone down a different path.

“But he honoured it, let go of a belt.

“It will be great to be fighting for the WBC belt …”

Then on the initial question, Tszyu continued: “It could be round 13.

“I’m hoping it’s not because it (the first fight) didn’t go my way.

“I’m hoping it’s round one in a whole different type of fight that swings my way.”

Tszyu also stated he was happy to be back in the world’s fight capital.

“I think it’s the light,” he laughed when asked how Sin City was different.

“I think it definitely brings something that Australia doesn’t have.

“Australia is one hell of a vibe and I’ve had one hell of a time fighting in front of my people.

“But I think America is where it’s at.

“Seeing all the journos here, all the people that support these events, it’s one hell of a show.

“And to be doing it on a Pacquiao card, Pacquiao versus Barrios at the MGM Grand – it’s something you dream of as a young kid.

“I’m taking this opportunity with both hands.

“I can’t wait.”

Fundora, meanwhile, was also convinced he and Tszyu will steal the show in Las Vegas.

“I think this fight, no doubt, will steal the show, no matter what,” said the fighter dubbed Towering Inferno.

“The first fight was a fight of the year.

“I’m going to say it, that was Fight of the Decade.

“You never see that much blood in boxing.

“And that’s what people want to see besides a knockout.

“That’s entertaining.

“That’s boxing.

Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundorain their ‘fight of the decade’ last year

“And I think this time around will do the same thing.”

And as for how the champ feels more than a year on from their first bout?

“I feel good,” he continued.

“I’ve had another year and feel like I’m growing.

“I’m 27 now.

“A full champion as well.

“So these things are just adding on.

“I’ve watched my sister (Gabriela) win her full title as well last year.

“So we’re growing and growing and growing.

“And that’s what we plan on doing this year and the year to come.”

Fundora added he had become extremely comfortable with the role of WBC champion saying: “Definitely.

“I remember in the beginning, not even fighting on pay-per-view cards or anything, the interviews would make me nervous.

“Now, we’re getting more comfortable.

“Getting more used to this.

“This is our job.

“I’m happy, very grateful.

“I’m happy to share a ring with Pacquiao, with all these guys.

“I’m at their level.

“I’m proving it every single time.”

And as for what he plans to demonstrate against Tszyu in the rematch?

“Another world class win,” he said.

“I’m world champion and plan on being world champion for a while.

“That’s what I’m going to do … Towering Inferno.”

In a media scrum after the press conference was done, Tszyu also spoke about the importance of having the chance for a second shot at Fundora after being so severely compromised in their first fight.

“I’ve never made excuses and I won’t start now,” Tszyu said when quizzed on having effectively fought blinded for some 30 minutes in the first fight as blood oozed into his eyes.

“If you lose, you lose.

“If you win, you win.

“But (that loss) gives you this burning fire.

“A rematch gives you the chance to rewrite your mistakes.

“From round three to maybe round ten, I wasn’t in the right mindset.

“I lost my head a bit.

“But I adapted, started figuring him out — just a bit too late.

“Now, I know what needs to be done.”

And as for this time around?

“My plan? Hit him in the face as hard as I can,” Tszyu continued.

“We both like to press. We bring the action. Fighting Fundora can’t be technical. You’ve got to make it a war — and that’s what this will be. A war.”

Speaking soon after the press conference with FightHype, Tszyu also suggested the long-awaited showdown between himself and Jermell Charlo has to happen – describing the US superstar’s decision to avoid him several times before accepting a Canelo fight as “like a stab in the back”

“I’m 100 per cent in,” Tszyu said when asked fighting Charlo for a title, should he get past Fundora.

“There’s some unfinished business there.

“I waited for him with his injury, I went through Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo, Brian Mendoza, was still waiting.

“Then we were in discussions (again) and he takes the fight with Canelo.

“It was like a stab in the back.

“I wanted to … I dunno … I don’t know what I wanted to do but there was an anger.

“Right now, that anger isn’t there obviously.

“But I would love to beat him in the ring and settle our differences.”

Elsewhere, Tszyu also revealed that, after preparing in the US for his previous two world title fights, he is now taking advice from no less than Australian UFC champ Alexander Volkanovski on the best way to ready this time around in Australia.

Volkanovski has always trained out of his home gym in Windang, south of Sydney, for both his first and now second reign as UFC featherweight king.

“I’ve spoken a lot with Volk, who has told me about all the little things he does,” Tszyu explained.

“He does all his camps in Australia.

“And there is an art to it.

“We always think how we have to come here to the US for our training camps.

“But when you’re comfortable and can bring the right sparring over, you can do it all in Australia.”

Tszyu also suggested that should Pacquaio upset Barrios on their July card, it could see Floyd Mayweather come out of retirement for a replay of their 2015 blockbuster.

The Australian added that while he has little interest in the September showdown between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez, he is tipping Bud to create history via an upset.

“In my opinion, I think Crawford wins,” Tszyu said.

“Just what we’ve seen from Canelo the past couple of fights, it hasn’t been impressive at all.

“Buit in all honesty, I’m not that interested (in the fight).

“When Manny Pacquiao versus Mayweather got announced, I was over the moon.

“Watching everything.

“It was massive.

“Canelo versus GGG, I was fully into that one too.

“But Crawford versus Canelo, doesn’t interest me.

“I think maybe past their prime …

“If Canelo fought Benavidez, I’d try to book a ticket.

“I’m a big, big fan of Benavidez.

“He’s a beast.”

Originally published as Tim Tszyu takes aim at ‘boring’ superstars’, towering rival as epic Pacquiao card launched in US