Tim Tszyu robbed of Sebastian Fundora rematch: American must fight winner of Crawford-Madrimov

Tim Tszyu has been sidelined from reclaiming his world title after a shocking WBO decision put the Australian firmly on the backburner following his gruesome defeat last month.

LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 30: (EDITORS NOTE: Image depicts graphic content) Tim Tszyu (in gold & black short) and Sebastian Fundora (in red & black short) exchange punches during their super welterweight world titles of the Premiere Boxing Championship on Saturday night as Sebastian Fundora wins at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on March 30, 2024. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Tim Tszyu is being sidelined by the WBO from a rematch with Sebastian Fundora, instead ordering the new super-welterweight champion to defend his belt against a different opponent by the end of the year.

It means Tszyu will now likely have to wait until 2025 for his chance to become world champion again, following a defeat that continues to have compounding effects on his career.

The WBO released a statement this morning saying Fundora must fight their “interim champion”, which will be the winner of Terence Crawford versus Israil Madrimov on August 3 in Los Angeles.

Tim Tszyu (L) is set to be robbed of a rematch with Sebastian Fundora, after losing his WBO junior middleweight title last month. Picture: Getty

Despite Tszyu having a rematch clause with Fundora, and Fundora’s camp stating they would have a second fight against the Australian when both recovered from their gruesome injuries, the WBO’s move essentially shafts Tszyu – who took the Fundora fight on 12 days’ notice to save the debut Amazon Prime pay-per-view boxing show.

Taking into consideration that Fundora cannot resume training until September after his nose was broken by Tszyu, the WBO has ruled he must defend his belt by December 31.

Fundora won Tszyu’s WBO belt and the vacant WBC belt in his split decision win to become a unified champion.

So as well as the WBO’s demands, Fundora must factor in what the WBC wants for their title shot – with superstar Errol Spence Jr chasing that world title fight.

As forecast recently by this masthead boxing politics could keep Tszyu waiting in the wings for a long time before he can claim another belt.

Having had 10 stitches to repair the enormous cut he suffered against Fundora, Tszyu faces an extended spell out of the ring, but after returning to Australia from holidays in Hawaii recently, it’s believed he is considering a potential return in September.

Sebastian Fundora poses with his title belts after defeating WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu. Picture: Getty

Tszyu’s manager, Glen Jennings, said: “We respect the sanctioning bodies and what they do, but we won’t be dictated to by anyone as to who, where and when Tim fights.

“From day one we have made our own moves, and nothing surprises me, sanctioning bodies do these things. But anything that’s been put in front of us, we’ve found ways to move forward.

“If they want to go that way [with Fundora fighting against the winner of Crawford-Madrimov], then we will make them pay attention to what Tim is doing.”

Tim Tszyu’s decision to take the Fundora fight on short notice has backfired. Picture: Getty

No Limit Boxing director Matt Rose was unperturbed by the shock news on Tuesday morning.

“A week is a long time in boxing,” Rose said.

“We understand there is plenty of noise. We have a rematch with Fundora, we will continue to have those discussions and assess other options, and then work out what the best scenario is for Tim.”

Saudi Arabian boxing promoter, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, is putting the Crawford-Madrimov fight together, and has already stated his intention of making a superbout between Crawford and Canelo Alvarez within two years.

If Tszyu returns to winning ways, a bout against one of those top stars of boxing is waiting in the wings.

But for now, the 29-year-old can do little but let the politics play out.

Originally published as Tim Tszyu robbed of Sebastian Fundora rematch: American must fight winner of Crawford-Madrimov