Coachella’s Sebastian Fundora walked away with the win against Australian Tim Tszyu in the main event live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 30. The pair battled it out for the unified super welterweight title with two belts on the line.
Tszyu brought to the ring his WBO title. The vacant WBC strap was also at stake. The contest saw a bloodbath from early on, as in the second round Tszyu suffered a big cut due to an accidental elbow from Fundora, who was also bleeding.
Nevertheless, the scheduled for 12 rounds world championship bout went the full distance. In the end, one judge scored the fight 116-112 in favor of Tszyu. Another judge gave the same to Fundora. The third judge had 115-113 for the challenger.
As a result, with the victory by split decision Sebastian Fundora, who previously held the interim WBC title, took the WBO 154-pound belt from Tszyu, as well as the vacant WBC strap. The 26-year-old improved to 21-1-1, 13 KOs and returned to winning ways after he was KO’d by Brian Mendoza last April.
“We’ve been praying for this moment for a long time and I’m just happy that Tim Tszyu gave me the opportunity and the opportunity became my dream come true,” said Fundora. “I didn’t want to break my nose today, but this is my life and this is boxing. I just had to be smart. I used my brain. I hope you saw me use my boxing skills tonight.”
“Tszyu is a world champion for a reason. It’s an honor to share the ring and make history with him.”
After the fight, former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. entered the ring. He expressed his interest in fighting Fundora.
“It’s time to get it on,” said Spence. “He’s got the big dog now. It’s my first time seeing him in person. He’s got good height, but we’ll break him down.”
“Errol is one of the pound for pound greats,””said Fundora. So fighting him and getting a win would be history for me.”
Tim Tszyu suffered his first career defeat and lost the title. Sydney’s 29-year-old dropped to 24-1, 17 KOs.
“I’m a throwback fighter and whatever circumstances come up, I’ll keep going,” said Tszyu. “But all credit belongs to the man who won tonight. These things happen. My momentum was rolling in the first two rounds and then boom, you’re blinded completely. This is boxing, it’s part of the sport.”
“I show up no matter what and always bring the fight. There’s no excuses. I’ll fight whoever, whenever. If you want a good scrap, you know who to call.”
Tszyu was originally scheduled to face former welterweight champion Keith Thurman. The latter got injured and was replaced by Fundora. The latter was scheduled to take on Serhii Bohachuk on the undercard.
Get Tszyu vs Fundora full fight card results.