‘Couldn’t feel my legs’: The two crucial changes that could decide Tszyu-Fundora II winner

The absence of a controversial rule, and a rare six-year first, could be the difference in Tim Tszyu’s WBC super-welterweight world title rematch with Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas.

The absence of a controversial rule, coupled with a rare six-year first, could prove the difference between winning and losing in Tim Tszyu’s crucial rematch with Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas this weekend.

The WBC super-welterweight world title will be on the line at the MGM Grand on Sunday afternoon (Australian time), meaning the IBF’s divisive rehydration clause won’t be in effect.

Also known as a second-day weigh-in, the IBF rule was in place when Tszyu suffered a shocking knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orlando in October.

The rule states that fighters aren’t allowed to weigh more than 10 pounds over the weight limit at a secondary weigh-in on the morning of an IBF title fight.

Tszyu putting the finishing touches on camp in Las Vegas. Picture: Supplied

That meant Tszyu was only able to put on about half the weight he normally does by the time he stepped into the ring with Murtazaliev.

Tszyu isn’t one for excuses, but he says he did notice it.

“Honestly speaking, the rehydration clause really affected me,” he told Code Sports. “I just didn’t feel the same.

“My whole body was completely different.

“If you look at (former UFC light heavyweight champion) Alex Pereira, he puts so much back on, and I’m exactly the same.

The IBF rule was in place when Tim Tszyu suffered a shocking knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev. Picture: Getty Images

“My body just soaks it all in, and I needed that. I didn’t have any sort of water or hydration in me, and I just wasn’t feeling the same.”

It only took a few minutes for the consequences to show in the ring, when Murtazaliev landed a left hand to the side of Tszyu’s head.

It wasn’t the first time Tszyu had been dropped – Wade Ryan and Terrell Gausha both caught him early as well.

But this time was different.

“I’ve been hit with that shot plenty of times, but I keep walking through it,” he said. “That’s the truth.

“It was just that one shot that got me and I couldn’t recover. Straight away, I couldn’t feel my legs.

“I my head I was like, ‘What am I gonna do? Run back? If I’m gonna go out, I’m gonna go out on my shield.

“Let’s go out the proper way. It’s kill or be killed.”

Tim Tszyu was badly busted open in his loss against Sebastian Fundora in March. Picture: Getty Images

Another crucial change from the Murtazaliev fight week is that, for the first time in six-and-a-half years, Tszyu isn’t the main event.

That honour – and the various promotional commitments and media demands that accompany it – goes to the returning great Manny Pacquiao and his opponent, WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios.

It’s not something Tszyu would ever admit, but his team felt he was left to carry too much of the promotional burden when he should have been focused on the fight.

Murtazaliev couldn’t speak English, and only did one short 10 minute press conference with travelling media in fight week, leaving Tszyu with the responsibility of selling the bout.

“It was shocking,” Tszyu’s manager, Glen Jennings told Code Sports while watching him sweat it out in 40-plus degree heat in Las Vegas.

“It was just so over the top, it was ridiculous, but what do you do?

For the first time in more than six years, Tim Tszyu isn’t the main event. Picture: Getty Images

“You’ve just gotta do what you’ve gotta do – there was just nobody else talking.

“But it’s totally different this time.”

Not only will Pacquiao attract plenty of attention, but the card is stacked with high-level boxing talent who all love the sight of a microphone and a camera.

“It’s a big change for Tim not to be the main event and for Tim not to have to carry it – it’s a pleasant surprise,” Jennings said. “I’m sure Tim will be busy with media, because it’s still a huge fight for him – it’s the most important fight of Tim’s life – but the undercard is stacked.

“Brandon Figueroa is a great talker, Isaac Cruz is a celebrity, Fundora’s a good talker and of course Manny Pacquiao and Barrios are there.

“There’s plenty of stories to go around and that will cut Tim a bit of slack for the final week.”

Bakhram Murtazaliev defeated Tim Tszyu in his most recent bout in the United States. Picture: Getty Images

The last time Tszyu wasn’t the main event was way back in February 2019 when he stopped Denton Vassell in two rounds in the co-main event to Paul Gallen’s win over John Hopoate at the Hordern Pavilion.

In the six years and 15 headline fights since then, Tszyu has replaced Gallen as Australia’s leading pay-per-view star.

And while he’ll still be the drawcard this weekend for his massive fanbase in Australia, it’s a refreshing change not being at the top of the bill.

“It doesn’t feel like that long ago,” Jennings said of the Vassell knockout.

“The other added bonus is we’ll be finished a bit earlier on fight night, and Manny Pacquiao will be walking out straight afterwards.

“We’ve never been in that scenario before.

“If everything goes well, we’ll be sitting with a couple of beers and watching Manny go around again.”

Originally published as ‘Couldn’t feel my legs’: The two crucial changes that could decide Tszyu-Fundora II winner