Tim Tszyu has been discharged from the hospital, but his boxing career is at a moment of uncertainty after suffering a tough defeat in the United States.
American boxer Sebastian Fundora, nicknamed “Towering Inferno”, dominated Tszyu in their rematch for the world title in Las Vegas. The former WBO super welterweight champion from Australia was taken directly to the hospital after being unable to continue following a fierce seventh round at the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Ironically, Tszyu seemed to be turning the tide of the fight in that seventh round, after having been knocked down in the first by a savage straight left to the head from Fundora.
Despite bleeding, Fundora connected with Tszyu with a flurry of uppercuts in the final seconds of the seventh round that shook the Australian before he told his corner that he did not wish to continue.
Tszyu had been trying to emulate his father, Kostya, a Hall of Famer, to be the third father-son duo in boxing history to win multiple world titles.
Devastated by Tim, above all. Devastated knowing how hard he worked for this and how much he wanted it.
Rose praised Fundora for giving a master class in defending his WBC belt. “Fundora’s best fight I’ve seen, without a doubt,” said the head of No Limit Boxing. “I thought about the strategy they had going in, how he fought long, really used his reach early. It was tremendous, a very good victory for him and I don’t think anyone else in the division will beat him now.”
Rose insists it’s too early to speculate on whether the 30-year-old boxer will continue fighting, having lost three of his last four fights after remaining undefeated in his first 24. He’s still very capable as a boxer, very talented, and I still think he beats most guys in the division on his night. It’s your decision about what you’re going to do, whether you go back to the gym on Monday, whether you take a break, what you do. A lot has to happen as a result of this. First of all, you have to go to the doctor. Then you have to see where the hunger is, and Tim is a person you can never question his hunger or desire or the amount of application he puts with his efforts in this sport. He gives himself. He just fought for a world title at the MGM Grand, so, although that’s really cool, suffering a defeat is something difficult. I know Tim is still very talented, very capable, but it’s up to him. He’s the one who has to risk his life in the ring. If he wants to make another run for a world title, I will do everything in my power to make that happen. His health comes first.First of all, he needs to recover from this, go through his process of facing defeat. You have to go through your moments with that, and then it’s a decision for him.
George Rose, Tszyu promoter
