Sebastian “Towering Inferno” Fundora has shelved a mandatory date with Xander Zayas to grant Tim Tszyu the rematch fans begged for, setting the stage for a July 19 thriller at the MGM Grand with Fundora’s WBC super-welterweight crown on the line. Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz teased “It will be raining blood,” a nod to last March’s gory classic that saw Fundora edge Tszyu via split decision after an accidental elbow opened a torrent over the Aussie’s eyes.
Still nursing the memory of last year’s blood-soaked split-decision loss, Tszyu thanked Fundora for honoring their rematch clause, then guaranteed a sequel modeled on Castillo-Corrales chaos. “Fans replay fights like Pacquiao-Morales; this one has to live that long,” the Australian said. “We’re the fight of the night—maybe the decade.”
Tszyu saved his sharpest jab for A-side stars whose recent performances “haven’t impressed at all,” a none-too-subtle swipe at Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, and even Saul “Canelo” Álvarez. “This card’s different,” he insisted. “Pitbull opens, Pacquiao closes, and me-Fundora in the middle—no chance of snoozers.”
Watch Tszyu vs. Fundora highlights: Watch
Fundora returned fire, calling the bout “Round 13” of their 2024 epic and vowing to prove why the WBC belt now rests on his lanky frame. Tszyu countered: “I’m hoping it’s a brand-new Round 1, this time on my terms. Plan? Hit him in the face as hard as I can - make it a war.”
Away from the hype, the Sydneysider revealed he’ll stage camp at home on advice from UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski and still craves a long-delayed showdown with Jermell Charlo—“unfinished business” after Charlo jumped to face Canelo. But first comes Fundora in what Tszyu calls “the night to rewrite my mistakes.”
Fight card:
▪️Mario Barrios vs. Manny Pacquiao, 12 rounds, for Barrios’ WBC welterweight title
▪️Sebastian Fundora vs. Tim Tszyu, 12 rounds, for Fundora’s WBC super welterweight title
▪️Isaac Cruz vs. Angel Fierro, 10 rounds, super lightweight
▪️Brandon Figueroa vs. Joet Gonzalez, 10 rounds, featherweight
