- Tim Tszyu’s split decision loss likely cripples his career
- It comes when a rematch against Sebastián Fundora is unlikely
- Fundora’s agent aims for his next fight against Terence Crawford
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Australian boxer Tim Tszyu faces an uncertain future following confirmation he will not have a rematch with Sebastian Fundora.
The development comes as Fundora, the new WBC and WBO light middleweight world champion, is likely to follow a demand from boxing officials to defend his belts against pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.
In a significant blow to Tszyu, it was revealed on Monday that the WBO had made Crawford the mandatory challenger for Fundora’s title following the 12-round fight in Las Vegas on Sunday AEDT.
The son of boxing royalty Kostya Tszyu began his fight with a sinister touch, but a stray elbow from the ‘Towering Inferno’ left him with a nasty cut high on his forehead in the second round.
Tszyu, now (24-1), said after the fight that he was “blinded” by his own blood as he suffered his first loss in 25 fights via split decision.
Australian boxer Tim Tszyu faces an uncertain future following confirmation he will not have a rematch with Sebastian Fundora.
New WBC and WBO world champion Sebastian Fundora (right) is likely to follow a lawsuit from boxing officials to defend his belts against pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.
Fundora used his range well and managed to get the points decision over the Australian after 12 brutal rounds.
Both fighters were covered in blood for most of Sunday’s brutal fight in Las Vegas.
Tzsyu’s bold decision to take on the 197cm Fundora on less than two weeks’ notice could have serious professional consequences
Many felt the fight should have been stopped after the accidental elbow given how deep Tszyu’s cut was.
While Tszyu was praised for his bravery, the reality soon became apparent when Fundora’s camp claimed that they had no obligation to fight Tszyu next.
This comes despite Tszyu’s promoter, No Limit Boxing, insisting there is a rematch clause and that the fight was going to take place on Australian shores.
Tellingly, ESPN has since reported that there was no rematch clause in the contracts signed by both fighters.
With Fundora initially inclined to step into the ring against former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr, Crawford made it evident in On social media he wanted to fight his compatriot sooner rather than later.
Crawford also mocked Tszyu in Xposting: “You lost sir, you have to work your way back up.”
Respected boxing journalist Michael. Benson later posted that WBO President Paco Valcárcel confirmed the governing body will order Fundora to put his belts on the line against Crawford.
The news leaves Tszyu needing to win his next fight before his team at No Limit Boxing considers the next best fight to potentially win back both of his belts.
It follows Spence Jr (28-1) declaring he was desperate to fight Fundora, which took the Australian by surprise.
Tszyu said: ‘Interesting. I would also like to fight Errol Spence, let me know if you want to do it.’
The problem for Tszyu is that he has no influence now.