The Controversy Surrounding Tim Tszyu’s Defeat by Sebastian Fundora
It was a night of blood, belts, and controversy as Tim Tszyu faced off against Sebastian Fundora in a highly anticipated match on Saturday. The split-decision victory for Fundora left many questioning the fairness of the outcome and the future of Tszyu’s career.
Kosport Magazine’s “Deep Waters” panel, consisting of Paulie Malignaggi, Timothy Bradley Jr., and Chris Algieri, wasted no time in dissecting the events leading up to and during the fight. Malignaggi, a former champion himself, was quick to point out the injustice of denying Tszyu an immediate rematch with Fundora.
“It’s all business moves, but it’s not right,” Malignaggi stated. “Tim Tszyu saved your show. He deserves a rematch.”
The panel went on to discuss the last-minute change in opponent for Tszyu, who was originally preparing to face Keith Thurman. The switch to the taller, left-handed Fundora proved to be a challenge for Tszyu, but he still put on an impressive performance.
“He doesn’t deserve to be phased out for doing the right thing for the fans – by staying in the fight – and for PBC, by taking the fight in the first place,” Malignaggi continued.
Immediately after the fight, former unified world champion Errol Spence Jr. entered the ring and called out Fundora for a future bout. Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, seemed open to the idea, stating that Tszyu needed time to recover from the brutal cut he suffered in the first round.
However, Malignaggi was quick to point out the potential for Tszyu to be “screwed out of a rematch” in favor of a more lucrative fight with Spence. Lewkowicz later released a statement assuring that Tszyu would receive his rematch, but the panel remained skeptical.
Algieri, a former opponent of Tszyu’s, noted that while the ringside doctor may have been at fault for allowing the fight to continue, Tszyu’s corner also failed him by not stopping the fight sooner.
“The corner had no clue what they were doing,” Bradley added. “It had to do with their arrogance. He took this fight on short notice and they thought he was going to knock out Fundora.”
The panel agreed that a rematch between Tszyu and Fundora is the most logical next step for both fighters. “I’ll pay to see it again,” Bradley stated. “I want to see if Fundora can do it against a healthy Tszyu – not the Tszyu with blood dripping down his eyes.”
As the discussion came to a close, Algieri summed up the situation perfectly: “If only boxing were fair…”
A Bright Future for Tim Tszyu
Despite the controversy surrounding his defeat, one thing is certain – Tim Tszyu is a force to be reckoned with in the boxing world. His willingness to take on any opponent and his entertaining style make him a fan favorite.
While the future may be uncertain for Tszyu, one thing is for sure – he will be back. And when he does, the world will be watching as he continues to prove himself as one of the best in the sport.
