LOS ANGELES – Tall American southpaw Sebastian Fundora stunned previously unbeaten Australian Tim Tszyu on March 30 to unify two world junior middleweight boxing titles in a bout that became a bloody spectacle.
After a strong start, Tszyu accidentally struck his head on the left elbow of the 1.97m challenger in the second round, a deep bleeding gash opened above his forehead turning the Aussie’s face crimson round after round, blood blinding him for much of the fight.
Judges scored the fight 116-112 and 115-113 for Fundora and 116-112 for Tszyu, giving the US fighter a split decision victory for Tszyu’s World Boxing Organisation junior middleweight title and the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) crown.
“I’m just happy Tim Tszyu gave me the opportunity and I made it a dream come true,” Fundora said. “The way I won my belt, it was an honour to share my belt and make history with him.”
Fundora, 26, improved to 21-1 with one draw in becoming the tallest 70kg champion while Tszyu fell to 24-1.
Tszyu, a 29-year-old from Sydney and the son of former light-welterweight world champion Kostya Tszyu, admitted the blood impacted his effort.
“I couldn’t see,” Tszyu said. “But all credit belongs to the man who won.
“Congratulations to Sebastian... We’ll bounce back.”
In other world title fights on the Las Vegas card, Mexico’s Julio Cesar Martinez retained his WBC flyweight title by majority decision over Venezuela’s previously unbeaten Angelino Cordova, Cuban Erislandy Lara kept his World Boxing Association (WBA) middleweight crown by knocking out Australian Michael Zerafa and Mexico’s Isaac Cruz took the WBA super lightweight title from American Rolando Romero.
Tszyu was set to face former welterweight world champion Keith Thurman, but the American was hurt in training and replaced two weeks ago by Fundora, who moved up from a planned undercard bout.
Tszyu landed a hard right to Fundora’s head in round one, the champion quickly finding his timing and range. But once his head struck Fundora’s elbow while making a move inside, the bleeding began and the fight changed.
Tszyu was examined by a doctor after the second and sixth rounds and was allowed to continue.
The Aussie, wiping away blood at times, tried to press the attack to his towering rival, who used his huge reach advantage to frustrate Tszyu. AFP
