“I fight whoever is easier to reach an agreement with”
Tim Tszyu, son of boxing legend Kostya Tszyu, was slated to face American Keith Thurman and risked losing his WBO title if defeated. Unexpectedly, Thurman withdrew due to an injury and was replaced by Sebastian Fundora, another United States contender. The match also carried the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) belt, with Fundora entering as a former interim world champion. Before the bout, Fundora had compiled 22 fights, one draw, and 20 wins, 13 by knockout. His only pro loss came against fellow Australian Brian Mendoza in April 2023.
Prior to stepping into the ring, Tszyu discussed his future plans, stating a goal to challenge Errol Spence or the pound-for-pound leader, Terence Crawford. Spence confirmed he would be at the T-Mobile Arena on March 31 to witness the fight and gauge who might emerge as the superior fighter between Tszyu and Fundora. Tszyu welcomed the attention and the challenge.
“Great, he’s finally awake. I thought he had been out of the loop for a while. I will fight anyone who makes sense. If they offer Spence, I’ll accept. The same goes for a bout with Crawford,” Tszyu was quoted as saying through a sports columnist.
“I was taken aback by a pro athlete eating so much junk.”
During a pre-fight press conference with Fundora, Tszyu admitted surprise at his opponent’s lifestyle. The Australian couldn’t believe Fundora had eaten a hamburger so close to fight night.
“Boxing is my life. I train with the same discipline I admire in Ronaldo. I saw Fundora eating a burger yesterday and was stunned. It’s surprising to see a professional athlete consume so much junk two days before a fight,” Tszyu remarked.
Fundora, tall at 198 cm, presents a markedly different physique from Keith Thurman, who stands at 171 cm, the initial opponent Tszyu had prepared for. Yet, this height disparity did not deter Tszyu early, as he started the bout with confidence and controlled the first round.
In the second half, an incident shifted the fight’s trajectory: Tszyu ducked under Fundora’s arm and struck Fundora’s elbow, opening a deep cut. From that moment, Tszyu fought more cautiously, missing several left-handed blows and struggling to react as bleeding persisted. Attempts to treat the wound between rounds were repeated, but the cut reopened.
Despite a slight edge on the judges’ scorecards toward the end, Fundora secured the victory by scores of 112-116, 116-112, and 113-115, handing Tszyu not only his first professional defeat but also relinquishing his WBO title.
Following the result, Terence Crawford weighed in, remarking that Tszyu still had work ahead to restore his standing in the sport.
“You lost, sir. You need to work to come back,” the boxing figure stated on social media.
“The vision is almost finished”
After the loss, Tszyu appeared composed, insisting he had fought a solid match and was ready to seek revenge. He acknowledged Fundora’s merit and responsibility, framing boxing as a sport where outcomes can swing unpredictably. He accepted the new division leader while promising a comeback and offering to face Fundora again if given the chance.
Tszyu also noted that the cuts and bleeding hindered his performance, describing the experience as dangerous and revealing how it affected his sight. He explained that fighting with blurred vision against a powerful opponent was far from ideal. Acknowledging the challenge, he reaffirmed his readiness to face any opponent again, including a rematch with Fundora.
Former WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev expressed disappointment with the result, suggesting that the fight’s displacement was rooted in the handling of the cut and the broader damage he believed affected Tszyu’s performance. Valuev wished Tszyu strength in moving forward and proving his supremacy.
“This is a test for Tim”
In a response to the media, former WBO junior heavyweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov urged Tszyu to draw the right conclusions and return stronger. He framed the setback as a temporary defeat rather than a fatal blow, stressing the importance of analysis and learning from the fight.
Provodnikov stated that defeats test true champions, while victories are the norm. He remained confident that resilient champions rise from failure and that Tim’s recovery would demonstrate his character. He sent wishes for good health and a stronger comeback, noting that defeat is a natural element of a sport that rewards perseverance.