Tszyu reacts to 'interesting' Spence-Fundora exchange
Tim Tszyu faces a clouded future at super-welterweight, but the Aussie isn't backing down from the division's biggest names.
The first defeat in the professional career of Tim Tszyu has left the Australian superstar facing an uncertain future in a stacked super-welterweight division.
Tszyu survived the entire 12-round showdown with Sebastian Fundora on Sunday afternoon (AEDT) despite suffering a nasty gash on the top of his head early on.
The 29-year-old ultimately fell short in the eyes of the judges, suffering a split-decision loss in Las Vegas and losing his WBO world title in the process.
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Tszyu won over plenty of admirers for his toughness inside the ropes, but his risk to take on the 197cm Fundora with less than two weeks' notice backfired for the Aussie.
It now leaves Tszyu in a precarious position when it comes to the 154-pound weight class, especially after a post-fight meeting between Fundora and Errol Spence Jr.
Spence (28-1) is ranked among the best super-welterweights on the planet and is now looking to book a showdown with the newly-crowned WBO and WBC title-holder.
"It's time to get it on," he told Fundora.
"This is my first time seeing him in person, he's got a pretty good height, but we will break him down like we always do."
Fundora welcomed the challenge from Spence and believes it would be another historic feather in his cap if he is able to overcome the polarising New York native.
"I think it will be great, he is one of the greats right now," he said.
"If I can fight him and get a win over him, it will be history for me again."
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Tszyu's early cut, which was dealt by a straw elbow from Fundora, was the difference-maker in a brutal affair at T-Mobile Arena.
Many are clamouring for a rematch between the pair given the circumstances, including Tszyu's initial opponent Keith Thurman pulling out on short notice.https://twitter.com/ShowtimeShawnP/status/1774294324789789027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/NikoPajarillo/status/1774282606072528954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
And then there's the pound-for-pound king of boxing, Terence Crawford, who remains without a dance partner for his next fight in the super-welterweight division.
Crawford (40-0) disposed of Spence last year in a dominant performance and urged his former rival to get to the back of the line.https://twitter.com/terencecrawford/status/1774282145294438577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/MichaelBensonn/status/1774287799576883550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It's safe to say there are plenty of options as far as the division goes and that's never a bad thing for a fighter like Tszyu, who is still making a name for himself on a global stage and won over fans in Vegas against Fundora, despite the loss.
Speaking post-fight at the media conference, the Sydney-born fighter claimed he still has what it takes to topple the likes of Fundora, Spence and Crawford.
"I'm gonna have a little two-week rest and then get back in the gym," Tszyu said.
"I want to fight the best, I want to make the mega fights happen. I'm still chasing them and I still believe I'm at the very top of the tree.
As for Spence's challenge to Fundora, the Aussie paused before giving a stoic reply.
"[That is] interesting - I would like to fight Errol Spence as well, let me know if you want to get it on," Tszyu said.
His promoter, George Rose, said the team will be pushing for a rematch with Fundora down the line, despite the presence of Spence and uncertainty around the future of Crawford and Jermell Charlo at the top.
"He knows there's a rematch clause there. If we want to take it, we'll take it," Rose said.
"I'd love to see Tim take that and win them belts straight back. I'm happy for a rematch to happen next and good luck trying to get out of it."
Immediately after that fight, Tszyu name-dropped Crawford, with rumours swirling regarding a future blockbuster prior to Sunday's heartbreaking loss.
"We will bounce back. I showed up no matter what, I always bring the fight," he said.
"I will fight whoever whenever. Errol Spence is here, even Terence Crawford. You want a scrap, you know who to call."