Tim Tszyu`s path to redemption continues with a rematch against Sebastian Fundora scheduled for July 19th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The resilient Australian, determined to bounce back from consecutive losses to Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev in 2024, previously secured a dominant victory over Joey Spencer in Australia earlier this year.
However, he believes true redemption will only be achieved by defeating Fundora.
Tszyu himself describes the Fundora rematch as the centerpiece of his “Redemption Tour,” stating, “This is the main fight in my self-branded Redemption Tour.”
The first bout with Fundora was significantly impacted by a severe cut caused by an accidental elbow, followed by the loss to Murtazaliev. Reflecting on these setbacks, Tszyu has said, “It`s not about how you fall; it`s about how you get back up.”
While the win against Spencer was straightforward, Tszyu emphasizes the importance of the upcoming fight: “This is the main one. This is the actual redemption and where it all begins. I`m back where I started.”
For his preparation against Fundora, Tszyu has sparred with taller fighters, including 6-foot-3 Mykal Fox, chosen for his reach similar to Fundora`s. His uncle and trainer, Igor Goloubev, has also adapted pad work to simulate hitting an opponent of Fundora`s height. Tszyu mentioned using local and amateur fighters from New Zealand for sparring, noting that finding tall partners often means facing heavier opponents like light heavyweights, which provides beneficial work.
Tszyu identifies Fundora`s key strength as his relentless “work-rate” and continuous punching. He describes Fundora as a “freak” and an “annoying fighter” due to his awkward style, which simply has to be dealt with.
Despite this, Tszyu expressed strong self-confidence, stating, “I know what I possess. If I stick to my game-plan, and keep my mind sharp, that’s what’s going to happen. I don’t need the past to be reminded, it’s about living in the present and fulfilling what’s going to happen in the future.”
A victory over Fundora would complete Tszyu`s redemption narrative and place him back among the elite in the competitive super welterweight division. Looking ahead, a potential future opponent is Keith Thurman. Tszyu was originally scheduled to face Thurman last year before Thurman withdrew due to injury, leading to Fundora stepping in on short notice.
Tszyu commented on Thurman`s recent performance, noting, “He looked good against Brock Jarvis who is not an A-level fighter. But Thurman still got the job done in style.” He concluded, “There is definitely potential in a Thurman fight in the future.”
The event featuring the Fundora vs. Tszyu rematch will also include Manny Pacquiao`s return at age 46, facing Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight world championship. This Premier Boxing Champions event will be available as a Prime Video PPV in the US and UK.
