Tim Tszyu has acknowledged a disappointing performance during his recent rematch with Sebastian Fundora, admitting he “crashed and burned” in the process. In last weekend’s co-main event, Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) successfully defended his WBC super welterweight title after Tszyu (25-3) chose not to return for the eighth round.
The fight had a rocky start for Tszyu, who was knocked down by a left hook in the first round and struggled throughout, with Fundora landing 118 power punches over the course of the match. Tszyu’s corner was reportedly influenced by a discussion with his uncle Igor Golubev, leading them to believe the Australian fighter was unable to continue safely.
Now facing a challenging 1-3 record in his last four fights, there’s a prevailing sentiment that Tszyu needs to regroup in Australia before refocusing on his ambitions in Las Vegas. His recent decline has drawn sharp criticism from boxing legend Jeff Fenech, who lambasted Tszyu’s team for their management decisions throughout his career.
Currently in Los Angeles, Tszyu plans to return home shortly, where he took to social media to express his gratitude for the support he’s received and to reaffirm his unwavering goal. He reflected, “Sometimes it’s who you become in the pursuit of greatness, rather than the result itself,” expressing pride in his personal growth despite recent setbacks.
Acknowledging his defeat to Fundora, Tszyu stated, “He was just the better man, and I’ll have to accept that, even though it’s hard.” He emphasised his commitment to moving forward, asserting that he remains focused on his ultimate goal to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Though Tszyu has been loyal to his team in the past, the nature of this second loss to Fundora may test their relationship. Fenech, while rallying for Tszyu, sharply critiqued his corner for failing to adapt during the fight, suggesting they should have intervened given Tszyu’s evident struggles. He lamented that Tszyu only displayed a single approach without considering alternative strategies, highlighting a lack of instruction that could have helped turn the tide.
Ultimately, while Tszyu may be weathering the storm of criticism and disappointment, he is determined to learn from this experience and continue his journey in boxing, emphasising that setbacks do not alter the pursuit of his goals.