Tszyu vs Fundora 2: Card rocked by world title medical emergency as Tszyu eyes history

This weekend’s card in Las Vegas has been rocked by a medical emergency just one day before the action starts as Tim Tszyu eyes boxing history. SEE THE TALE OF THE TAPE.

Sixteen years after watching Manny Pacquiao fight Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand, Tim Tszyu is primed to become a two-time world champion at the very same venue in the co-main event to the Filipino legend.

Tszyu hit the scales in phenomenal shape at 153.2 pounds for his WBC world title rematch with Sebastian Fundora (152.6 pounds), but the card was thrown into turmoil by the late withdrawal of Mexican star Angel Feirro.

Fierro fell ill during his weight cut and was hospitalised just hours before he was due to weigh in for the highly anticipated rematch with Isaac Cruz.

One of Mexico’s biggest boxing stars, ‘Pitbull’ Cruz will now face Omar Salcido, who was scheduled to appear on the undercard.

Fundora and Tszyu face off. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Meanwhile, Tszyu received one of the biggest cheers of the day when he stepped on the scales and motioned to his stomach, indicating a belt being strapped around his waist.

“WBC, the belt and I was just trying to vibe with the crowd,” Tszyu said just moments after he weighed in in front of a raucous crowd packed with Aussie, Filipino and Mexican boxing fans.

“It’s pretty unreal to have that crowd and feel that energy.

“I understand why Manny comes back and does this over and over again. When you’ve got this every fight, it’s hard just to kick back at home.

Tszyu wraps the belt around his waist. Picture: No Limit Boxing

“I was sitting over there, just where the walk out is (when Pacquiao fought Cotto). That was a sick experience, now to be participating in it, it’s unreal.”

Tszyu was wearing a brand new necklace with the image of his beloved bulldog, Pablo, who recently needed surgery on a brain infection.

“He’s the warrior,” he told Code Sports, while showing off the bling. “The warrior.”

Meanwhile, Pacquiao performed some mind games with Barrios, making the WBC welterweight champion wait four-and-a-half minutes on stage before showing up.

Pacquiao vs Barrios and Tszyu vs Fundora full card

Pay-per-view card

Mario Barrios vs Manny Pacquiao – WBC welterweight world title

Sebastian Fundora vs Tim Tszyu – WBC super-welterweight world title

Isaac Cruz vs Omar Salcido – Interim WBC super-lightweight world title

Brandon Figueroa vs Joet Gonzalez – featherweight

Undercard

Gary Russell Jr vs Hugo Castaneda – Super-featherweight

David Picasso vs Kyonosuke Kameda – Super-bantamweight

Mark Magsayo vs Jorge Mata – Lightweight

How to watch Tim Tszyu vs Sebastian Fundora and Manny Pacquiao

You can order the PPV on Main Event or Kayo Sports here.

What time is Tim Tszyu fighting?

Being in the co-main event, Tim will be fighting a little earlier than Australian fans are used to seeing him.

Expect him to step into the ring at around 12pm midday on Sunday.

Tim Tszyu vs Sebastian Fundora Tale of the Tape.

Tim Tszyu

Record: 25-2 (18KOs)

Age: 30

Height: 174cm

Reach: 179cm

Weight: 153.2 pounds

Last fight: Rd 4 TKO win over Joey Spencer

Sebastian Fundora

Record: 22-1-1 (14KOs)

Age: 27

Height: 197cm

Reach: 203cm

Weight: 152.6 pounds

Last fight: Rd 4 TKO win over Chordale Booker

Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios Tale of the Tape

Manny Pacquiao

Record: 62-8-2 (39KOs)

Age: 46

Height: 166cm

Reach: 170cm

Weight: 146.8 pounds

Last fight: UD loss to Yordenis Ugas

Mario Barrios

Record: 29-2-1 (18KOs)

Age: 30

Height: 183cm

Reach: 180cm

Weight: 146.2 pounds

Last fight: Split Draw with Abel Ramos