Tim Tszyu is set to seek redemption against Sebastian Fundora this Sunday in Las Vegas, following a challenging loss to the American in their previous encounter on March 30, 2024. Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs) will face the WBC super welterweight champion Fundora (21-1-1, 14 KOs) as a co-main event alongside the highly anticipated Manny Pacquiao vs Marrio Barrios bout.
In their first fight, Tszyu suffered a split-decision defeat, marred by a severe cut above his eye due to an elbow from Fundora. Despite the injury, Tszyu appeared to be leading on points before the bout concluded. This loss propelled Tszyu into a difficult phase in his career, including a subsequent defeat to Bakhram Murtazaliev that saw him knocked down three times in a second-round thrashing.
While Fundora gained Tszyu’s WBO title in their last fight, it is now only the WBC belt on the line, as Fundora was stripped of the WBO title for not facing mandatory challenger Xander Zayas. Critics pointed to Tszyu’s corner’s failure to manage his injury and the decision not to stop the fight early, a move that turned the fight into a contentious scorecard decision.
Looking ahead, Tszyu believes he has learned valuable lessons from his previous encounters, explaining that he felt overly stimulated and is now focused on being in a more relaxed state leading up to this match. He sees the fight as a chance to reclaim his place among the elite in the super welterweight division, a title that carries considerable prestige within boxing.
Experts suggest that a victory over Fundora will solidify Tszyu’s status, although questions remain about his past losses, particularly against Murtazaliev. Hall-of-Famer Jeff Fenech believes the WBC title is significant, but reminds that it doesn’t erase previous defeats. Fenech notes that Tszyu’s management made questionable choices by letting him fight Murtazaliev after his injury against Fundora.
The fight carries increased stakes for Tszyu, not only for the title but also to reaffirm his ability and maintain his position in the sport. Should Tszyu prevail, there are hints of potential future matchups, including a trilogy fight in Sydney, as well as bouts with notable contenders such as Keith Thurman and Jermell Charlo.
Fenech has expressed confidence in Tszyu’s capabilities, predicting a later-round stoppage against Fundora, indicating that he believes Tszyu will triumph despite any doubts surrounding his past encounters and the pressure from his corner. Ultimately, Tszyu’s journey continues as he aims for redemption and a chance at reclaiming the title he once held.