Just as the great Manny Pacquiao was entering the ring at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at the age of 46, Tim Tszyu was being rushed from the arena to hospital.
It meant Tszyu didn’t get a chance to see what true greatness looks like. This was the Australian’s third shot at a world title and it again ended in heartbreak.
There was no asterisk next to this result, a rematch against WBC super-welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora. When they first clashed 16 months ago, Tszyu could point to blood pouring into his eyes from a horror head cut as a mitigating factor.
There were no excuses this time.
At the scene of his father Kostya’s most famous victory, that stupendous knockout of Zab Judah almost a quarter of a century ago, Tszyu copped a sobering lesson about where he sits in boxing’s world order.
Fundora dominated from the outset, flooring Tszyu in the opening round. Somehow he survived until the end of the seventh, before failing to come out to meet the bell for the start of the eighth.
More heartache for Tim Tszyu.Credit: AP
It was a surprise to witness Tszyu finish on his stool, given he landed his best shots in the moments just before the bout was called off.
There was contention over whether the decision was made by Tszyu or his corner, who felt their man was gassed after walking into a barrage of jabs over the preceding 21 minutes. Either way, Tszyu had no more fight left in him.
“He is one tough motherf-—r,” Tszyu said.
Tim Tszyu was totally outclassed.Credit: AP
“I tried to give it everything, but just couldn’t do it. Victory belongs to Sebstian Fundora, the best 154-pounder on the planet right now.”
Tszyu said a cut that had opened above his right eye didn’t contribute to the stoppage.
“He was just a better man,” Tszyu said.
“He’s just very hard to land [on]. He’s tough as f–-. Sometimes it felt like I was shadow boxing with myself. It is what it is, congratulations to Fundora and his team.”
There will be no trilogy fight. In the space of 16 months, Tszyu has lost his undefeated record and the three world championship fights that he has contested. This might be as close to a world title as he will ever get to again.
The “Soul Taker” labelled Fundora’s punches as “stringy” and lacking power in the lead up, but there was a sting in the American’s jab. Fundora, standing at 197 centimeters tall, had a distinct height and reach advantage and used it to good effect.
The southpaw clipped Tszyu every time he lunged in, and also showed a solid chin whenever a punch got through his defences.
“You know what, I woke up this morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and went ‘Oh wow, I have reach,’ Fundora said, a hint to the way he controlled the ring.
“We’ve been working on aggression my whole professional career and now we’re just adding the length of my arms.”
Tszyu’s handlers insisted Tszyu was taken to hospital as a “precaution”, but it remains to be seen if the real damage is physical or psychological. This was meant to be his big American moment, sharing the stage with Pacquiao, who was making a comeback at 46 years of age.
Ultimately, the “Pac Man” had to settle for a majority draw against Marios Barrios, meaning the latter retained his WBC welterweight title.
It’s one thing to share the stage with the greats, owning it is another altogether.
