This was published 1 year ago

Where to now for Tim Tszyu after first loss in Vegas?

Updated March 31, 2024 — 4:33pm,first published 12:19pm

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4.33pm on Mar 31, 2024

Thanks and goodbye

There will be lots of debate and discussion to come around the Tim Tszyu fight, so stayed tuned to the Herald and The Age for all the news and analysis.

But for now it’s goodbye. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

4.00pm on Mar 31, 2024

Where does this leave Tszyu?

Ok, so where does this leave Tim Tszyu?

He has a few options, the most obvious one being a rematch with Fundora which was negotiated smartly in case of this eventuality. The rematch against Fundora would be expected to take place in Australia and given Tszyu’s bravery through severe difficulties, it will sell brilliantly, and not just in this country, but globally.

However - in the sport of boxing there is always a however - Errol Spence Jr jumped into the ring with Fundora after the fight in Las Vegas, and that gave the impression they could be squaring off next. Spence Jr who lost to superstar Terence Crawford last July.

Crawford will be keen to face Fundora, but it remains to be seen if this is even possible given the rematch clause with Tszyu.

But if Fundora has room to manoeuvre out of the rematch clause, he may elect to try and get out of another fight with Tszyu. As we’ve seen in boxing, money can talk.

A rarer option could see Crawford decide Tszyu is perfect to fight now, given the Australian is coming off a loss but remains extremely marketable in the boxing world. Stranger things have happened.

For Tszyu? Short-term, it is a long trip back to Australia, without the two belts now tied around Fundora’s waist. Long-term, we will have to wait and see.

As the Sydney fighter said: “That’s boxing”.

3.36pm on Mar 31, 2024

What happens when there is a cut like Tszyu’s? The referee’s options explained

There are three options available for the referee when there is a cut of Tszyu’s magnitude at the end of Round 2 and here they are:

If the referee believes the fighter is completely impaired he can stop the fight immediately and the fight goes to a no-contest, meaning Tszyu keeps his WBO World Super Welter belt.
The referee lets the fight go for four rounds and a technical decision is made for whatever fight is winning (in this case both fighters were drawing on all judges scorecards, so it would have been a draw).
The referee is confident that the fighter can continue and lets the contest go for the full scheduled 12 rounds, which is what happened with Tszyu losing on points via a split decision.

2.45pm on Mar 31, 2024

Tszyu loses split decision and belts in Vegas, but wins new fans

That’s extremely cruel for Tszyu who fought so bravely throughout the fight and loses a split decision to Fundora, but it’s probably the right call.

Tszyu did incredibly to stay in the fight for the whole contest and credit must go to his cutman for keeping him coming out from Round 3 when he got hit by an unintentional stay elbow from Fundora as he ducked.

After the cut, Tszyu had to throw his game plan out the window, concerned that the doctor was going to stop the fight. He was searching for an overhand right punch on his huge opponent that never landed.

Tszyu was impressively sanguine in defeat, perhaps taking consolation that he should get another opportunity to avenge this loss with a rematch clause penciled in, probably to take place in Australia.

“Look, I told you, I’m an old throwback fighter. I couldn’t see. All credit belongs to the man who won tonight,” Tszyu said.

“These things happen; the momentum was swinging hard in the first two rounds, then boom you’re blinded. This is boxing; these things happen. Congratulations to Fundora. He’s the new king at 154. We will bounce back.”

After such a brave performance, Tszyu’s marketability will have increased in the boxing world, given he stayed in the fight so admirably against the odds while so impaired by blood. It also cannot be forgotten that Fundora was taken with 12 days’ notice against a hugely awkward southpaw opponent, having originally trained to fight Keith Thurman.

Sebastian Fundora surprised many with his disciplined performance. He utilised his physical advantages, which were stark, and sat behind his huge jab that frustrated the partially blinded Australian.

“The first round, I was like damn I didn’t want to break my nose. I’ve been telling everyone that I’m going to use my brain tonight and I hope you saw that,” Fundora said.

“[Tszyu], he’s a world-class fighter. It’s an honour to share a ring and to share history with him.”

2.41pm on Mar 31, 2024

Incredible bravery from Tszyu in final round, we go to the judges

Tszyu stands and trades, battling through blood that has blinded him from Round 3. He stood, trying to find a knockout punch that did not come.

We go to the judges’ scorecards. I have a feeling that Fundora will edge this, off the back of his jab. He absolutely took advantage of Tszyu’s cut and utilised an unexpected advantage.

Round 12: Tszyu 9 Fundora 10

2.36pm on Mar 31, 2024

Round 11: Tszyu tiring in last two rounds

In the corner, it is obvious to see the damage that this cut has done to Tszyu as he brushes the blood from his eyes.

This fight is on a knife edge and the judges could have it either way.

Fundora returns serve during the eighth.AP

Tszyu is going to the body and head of Fundora, he knows that he cannot win the jab battle, especially given his cut.

There is no question that Tszyu without this cut should have won, – he is untroubled by the awkward Fundora’s power.

Round 11: Tszyu 9 Fundora 10

2.32pm on Mar 31, 2024

Round 10: Tszyu stands and trades

This is incredible heart from Tszyu. He cannot see but he is standing and trading with his bigger opponent even into the 10th round.

There is a cruelty to this cut in that it has totally changed the fight and forced Tszyu to fight far more recklessly than he would like.

Still, he is connecting with power punches. If he can somehow connect on Fundora’s chin this will be one of the greatest boxing moments for Australia.

Round 10: Tszyu 10 Fundora 9

2.29pm on Mar 31, 2024

Round 9: Tough round for Tszyu

It’s just so difficult for Tszyu out there, how he’s still in this fight is beyond me.

He’s basically blinded, fighting a huge southpaw with 12 days notice, and he’s still somehow throwing punches.

The cutman is doing brilliant work for Tszyu to keep him in the ring.

Round 9: Tszyu 9 Fundora 10

2.25pm on Mar 31, 2024

Round 8: Tszyu cut worsens

This cut is brutal. It is flowing like a red river from the forehead into Tszyu’s eyes, yet still the Australian throws power punches. The Mexican fans in the stadium are behind him here. His bravery is on full display for everyone to see.

It’s amazing the fight has lasted as long as it has. Many doctors and referees would have stopped it.

Round 8: Tszyu 10 Fundora 9

2.22pm on Mar 31, 2024

Round 7- Tszyu showing blood and guts

In a defining fight Tszyu has found his way back into this fight, bloodied and partially blinded.

He is showing incredible heart.

Round 7: Tszyu 10 Fundora 9