‘Blessing’ for Tim Tszyu to be on same card as all-time great Manny Pacquiao come his rematch against Sebastian Fundora
Speaking for the first time since the news that his rematch with Sebastian Fundora would land on the same card as Manny Pacquiao, Tim Tszyu confirms he trained with the champion in the Philippines.
Tim Tszyu has declared he has no mental scars from his bloody defeat to Sebastian Fundora as he prepares for a “dogfight” in his Las Vegas revenge mission against the 197cm tall American.
The Aussie added it’s “a blessing” that the world title rematch will take place on the same card as boxing legend Manny Pacquiao’s first fight in four years on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Sin City.
Speaking for the first time since this masthead broke the news that the fight would land on the same card as Pacquiao’s welterweight world title fight with Mario Barrios, Tszyu said he had already cleared out a space for the green WBC world title Fundora currently has.
Tszyu lost an agonising split decision to Fundora at T-Mobile Arena 14 months ago in one of the bloodiest fights in recent memory after copping a stray elbow from the much taller Fundora.
It started a horror run for the Sydneysider, who went on to be knocked out by IBF world champ Bakhram Murtazaliev in October.
But, after annihilating Joey Spencer in his return a month ago, Tszyu says he’s ready to become a two-time world champion.
“I’m not emotionally damaged at all. I’m learning from everything, all the mistakes and everything that went wrong,” he said.
“I do have good memories from the fight – not just blood splattering – but being able to see his shots and being able to have some sort of control.
“Fundora’s a tough fight for anyone, his natural, God-given ability and being that tall, it’s never an easy fight.
“You have to make it a dogfight. This isn’t round one, it’s round 13 as soon as we start.”
Official confirmation of Pacquiao’s return is expected within days, while former super-lightweight world champion Isaac Cruz will also appear on the card.
“It’s not 100% guaranteed, but to be fighting on a Manny Pacquiao undercard would be a really big blessing. Unreal,” Tszyu said.
“I did two weeks in Manilla with him, and that was an unreal experience.
“To even be talked about fighting on his undercard … it would be pretty awesome.
“The fact it’s gonna be in Vegas, it gives you a buzz.”
Tszyu dominated Fundora for the opening two rounds of their world title fight in March last year, but was virtually blinded by blood pouring into his eye from the third round onwards.
Fundora defended the titles with a fourth round stoppage of Chordale Booker in March, before relinquishing the WBO belt to rematch Tszyu.
The 25-2 Tszyu warns it won’t be as simple as picking up where he left off before the debilitating cut though.
“He controls the range very well with his God given abilities,” he said. “He’s got those awkward shots inside.
“Even though he’s tall, he’s good inside. He’s got ticker. He’s always in it. Even though I broke his nose, he still had it in him.
“When you have a fighter like that, it’s a tremendous task.
“There was a lot of questions (for him) as well. It was a split decision, it wasn’t a clear answer.
“There’s a lot for us both to prove.
“It’s a big chapter in my life, it’s something I really want to get back. It’s a career-defining moment and I’m looking to revenge.”
Tszyu had been expected to fight loudmouthed American Keith Thurman in July, but after his win over Spencer, he immediately called for a Fundora rematch.
Thurman has seemingly left high and dry, but Tszyu hinted at an even bigger fight if he gets revenge over Fundora.
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“Stay in the loop,” he told Thurman. “Because there could be a potential superfight happening with titles on the line.
“I’ve cleared out my cupboard. I’ve got the WBO belt in there, but on the left hand side, I’ve left a spot specifically for the WBC belt.
“I’ve got a spot and I’m visualising that green (WBC) belt there.”
Originally published as ‘Blessing’ for Tim Tszyu to be on same card as all-time great Manny Pacquiao come his rematch against Sebastian Fundora
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