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Bowed but not broken: Tszyu promised a rematch after Vegas bloodbath

Sebastian Fundora’s team is pledging to offer Tim Tszyu a rematch of the two warriors’ world championship bloodbath in Las Vegas.

Apr 02, 2024, updated Apr 02, 2024
Tim Tszyu, of Australia, left, fights Sebastian Fundora in a super welterweight title bout Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Tim Tszyu, of Australia, left, fights Sebastian Fundora in a super welterweight title bout Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

 

Tszyu’s immediate future has been uncertain since he relinquished his WBO super-welterweight belt to Fundora in a controversial split-decision defeat on Sunday.

The Australian was cruelly denied the chance to fight fair and square after walking into the Towering Inferno’s elbow and suffering a gruesome head gash.

Tszyu virtually battled on blindly for 10 rounds at T-Mobile Arena and was even awarded a 116-112 victory by one of the judges.

Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu.
Tim Tszyu, bleeding profusely from a head wound, slugs it out with Sebastian Fundora. (AP PHOTO)
But despite No Limit Boxing boss George Rose claiming his previously undefeated Sydney charge had a rematch clause in his contract, doubts over a sequel surfaced after Tszyu branded Fundora’s manager Sampson Lewkowicz a “weasel” in the lead-up to the unification blockbuster.

Lewkowicz, though, has since released a statement declaring Team Fundora’s first priority is a rematch with Tszyu ahead of a fight versus either pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford or fellow American star Errol Spence.

“We were all so eager to make this fight that many of our agreements were made verbally. There wasn’t enough time,” Lewkowicz said.

“But I wish to make it clear that Team Fundora will honour the agreement. My word is always equal to a signed contract.

“Tim Tszyu, your rematch is ready when you are.”

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This is good news for Tszyu after initial concerns that he may have to return to the bottom of the pecking order for more super fights in the US.

But, boxing being boxing, a rematch with Fundora may not necessarily stand.

Already there have been reports that the WBO is set to order Fundora to take on Crawford, who two weeks ago announced he would exercise his right as WBO welterweight champion to be named mandatory challenger for Sunday’s winner.

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