With a “kill or be killed” mentality, Tim Tszyu already envisions Sebastian Fundora lying on the canvas in their highly anticipated rematch for the world title in Las Vegas. Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs) will depart from Australia this Friday with the intention of amending the errors of a cruel split decision defeat against Fundora (22-1-1, 14 KOs) in the mecca of boxing last March. The American has sportingly offered Tszyu the opportunity to regain the WBO super welterweight belt he lost 16 months ago. After suffering a brutal knockout defeat to Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev in Florida in October, Tszyu knows that his world reputation, and his career, will be on the line at the famous MGM Grand on July 20 (AEST).
“He should be the one who’s nervous because he got me into a lot of trouble with that cut and now, when I arrive fresh, it’s a completely different story.” “It’s more serious, calculated. He’s going to have a lot of problems.” “The feeling is different. It’s not just winning. Having his body lying on the ground. That’s what I’ve visualized.” “Everything is life or death in this sport. Kill or be killed.” Both fighters accepted the 2024 fight with 12 days notice after Tszyu’s initial opponent, Keith Thurman, suffered a biceps injury. But Tszyu insists that having 10 weeks to properly train for the 203cm tall “Inferno in the Tower” is definitely his advantage on this occasion. The 30-year-old pugilist has brought a series of tall southpaws similar to him to Sydney to train with him in preparation for the unique Fundora challenge. “He was preparing for (Serhii) Bohachuk at the time. He’s an Eastern European fighter, similar style to me, so he was working on that and I went to a completely different style,” Tszyu said on Wednesday. “But, yes, there are no excuses this time. No stone has been left unturned.” Describing 2025 as his “revenge” year, the former Australian WBO belt holder earned his chance at a second world title with the victory over promising American Joey Spencer in Newcastle in March. “I feel like I got my momentum back,” Tszyu said. “And I have more to prove.” “When I rewrite this chapter, it’s going to be a great story and that’s the main motivation. It’s more about the story.” US fight fans know, understand what it’s all about and that I always give my best, the action and all that. It’s about proving it in my story. Not to anyone, really. But simply to prove it.”We are on each other’s blacklist. Why should I be nervous? There’s nothing to be nervous about.
Tszyu
