It is the tallest of orders in many ways as Australian light-middleweight star Tim Tszyu bids to rebuild his boxing career in a Las Vegas rematch with Sebastian Fundora on July 19.
Tszyu (25-2) has lost two of his last three bouts to go from future superstar to a man fighting for his life at elite level in the 154lbs weight division.
Things started to unravel for the son of former ring great Kostya Tszyu in March 2024, when he topped the bill on the first big show as part of PBC’s new Amazon Prime Video deal. That night he faced the giant Fundora for the first time, and things went horribly wrong.
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For the first two rounds it looked like a good night for Tszyu as he took early control, but the script went horribly off piste in Round 3. Tim was cut by an accidental elbow from Fundora, and the blood flowed in a big way.
The remaining 10 rounds were an absolute and literal bloodbath but Tszyu was taken firmly into the trenches before dropping a split decision for the first loss of his pro career.
Tim followed that up with an even more disastrous showing as he was stopped inside three rounds by unbeaten Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev. It was a brutal reality check for Tszyu as he was battered to the canvas three times in Round 2 and once in Round 3.
Tszyu returned to winning ways in April with a routine stoppage of Joseph Spencer in Newcastle, Australia but next month he returns to the pressure cooker of world title level as he rematches the giant Fundora (6ft 5.5ins or 1.97m tall).
Tim knows exactly what is at stake as he bids to take the WBC title from Fundora. He needs to right his career after it began to go off the rails the moment Sebastian stepped in at short notice to replace the injured Keith Thurman back in March 2024.
Tszyu knows what is at stake
“This is the most important fight for me. It gives me this burning fire. It’s the first rematch of my career and I’m excited to rewrite my mistake.
“It was one hell of a fight the first time. I love to test myself in the heart and prove to myself that I can go forward no matter what. It was a fun fight the first time and could be another Fight of the Year.
“Just over a year ago me and Fundora produced a classic. It was a fight that will be remembered by a lot of people for a very long time. This fight is round 13. It’s a new chapter and a new beginning. Even though things didn’t go my way, I intend to get back to where I started.
“Fundora is a hell of a fighter and the current king of 154. But it’s my turn to reclaim the throne. We’re gonna give the fans a really great treat.”
Tszyu doubled down on the way this fight is likely to shake out – it will not be boring, it could never be that.
Tszyu and Fundora a perfect fit
“Me and Fundora, we both like to press and we both bring the action. Fighting against Fundora can’t be technical. You can’t really stay on your distance and take your time with him because he’s so tall. You have to make it a fight and bring the action. Anyone who fights him is in for a hard night at the office.
“I remember feeling him and his shots and sort of figuring him out early in our first fight. The hardest part was that I lost my focus from rounds three to round 10. I wasn’t in the same mindset that I was in the first two rounds. I adapted at the end of the fight, but it was a bit too late. I know what needs to be done this time.”
Redemption the goal for Tim
While Tim obviously has the WBC belt in mind as he prepares for battle again, he also knows what the real goal is here – redemption.
“I want that belt and I want that title. But it’s not only about the belt, it’s about the story and the redemption. We had a hard fight and it’s something that I need to get back. It’s one of those things that I need to rewrite.
“This card is gonna deliver, because we have four tremendous fights and we’re all gonna bring it on July 19.”
