- Tszyu defeated by Fundora, loses world title belts
- Fundora clinches split decision victory; Tszyu gracious in defeat
- Lara retains WBA middleweight title; Wilson, Zerafa defeated
Following a sapping loss to towering American Sebastian Fundora, Tim Tszyu’s ruthless attempt to emulate his legendary father, Kostya and become a unified world boxing champion was mercilessly thwarted. At T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Tszyu conceded his vacant WBC super welterweight and WBO super welterweight belts after suffering his first loss in twenty-five bouts. As a result, he could not secure a position among the sport’s elite.
The judges awarded a split decision in favour of Fundora, with scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 112-116 opposing Tszyu. The unfortunate Australian’s about came to an abrupt halt in the final seconds of the second round when he collided with the elbow of 197cm Fundora, causing a massive cut to his skull. He was, however, magnanimous in defeat.
“As previously stated, I am an old throwback combatant under all circumstances. Tszyu stated, “I could not see, but the man who won tonight deserves all the credit.”
“This is how things occur. Momentum was in motion. I was swinging aggressively during the initial rounds when, “Boom,” you were entirely blinded. Nevertheless, this is boxing. This is an inevitable aspect of the sport. Applause is in order for Fundora, who has ascended to the throne at 154 pounds.”
Heavy right-hand blows from the world champion had placed his towering opponent on the back foot during the opening exchanges. The fight doctor authorised Tszyu to continue despite the blood streaming down his face; however, Fundora capitalised on the Australian’s impaired vision to tie the score.
Even though both combatants were drenched in blood and Fundora’s nostril was also running, the Australian persisted in his efforts to terminate the conflict as soon as possible. Fundora executed a strategic manoeuvre by aiming for Tszyu’s head. In contrast, the Sydney warrior, wiping the blood from his eyes with his mitts, could not establish his customary connection.
As Fundora edged ahead, the physician re-examined the incision at the onset of the seventh round but permitted it to continue. Like a gladiator, Tszyu continued to fight in pursuit of a knockout strike, but the Californian’s blood flow prevented him from stopping.
With his victory, Fundora becomes a world champion alongside his younger sister Gabriela, who won the IBF flyweight title earlier this year.
Tszyu aspired for himself and Kostya to become unified world boxing champions, joining Leon and Corey Spinks as the second father-and-son duo to do so. A potential megafight featuring pound-for-pound monarch Terence Crawford or former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. would have paid $US10 million ($A15.3 million).
A dismal twenty-four hours ended for Australian boxers, as both Liam Wilson and Michael Zerafa were defeated in their respective world title bouts.
With a decisive WBA middleweight title defence, Erislandy Lara thwarted Zerafa’s bid to secure a world title on behalf of his ailing sister. The Cuban-American undoubtedly maintained his title. Zerafa, an Australian, was knocked to the canvas in the second round, ending his evening.
Zerafa fought in honour of his older sister Michelle, who unexpectedly attended the event despite enduring breast cancer treatment. But in his first about since May 2022, the 40-year-old southpaw Lara demonstrated he still possessed the slick manoeuvres that had propelled him to the title.
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Both competitors made it through the first round relatively quickly, but Lara (30-4, 18KO) increased the tension by entering the second. Lara’s straight left disturbed Zerafa (31-5, 19KO), and upon perceiving his opponent’s vulnerability, he unleashed a devastating right-left combination that rendered the Victorian unable to continue.
The day before, Wilson also experienced sorrow in Arizona when his super-featherweight world title against Mexican Oscar Valdez was unsuccessful. With a parochial whole house at Desert Diamond Arena, the referee halted the fight with twelve seconds remaining in the seventh round.
It had been an attritional conflict in which both combatants endured severe casualties. While Wilson displayed high aggression, the Mexican delivered more powerful blows. Former world champion Valdez technical knocked out the Queenslander in the seventh round, raining blows to terminate the about.
