One towering man stands between Tim Tszyu and his legacy fight with Terence Crawford. It’s fight week, and only a couple of days separate the Australian from making his first title defense against Sebastian Fundora. It’s your essential guide to knowing the numbers attached to both fighters, an analysis of their fight style, followed by a prediction. So, let’s dive in.

The WBO champion has his work cut out against a tall and lanky opponent in Fundora this Saturday, March 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He has to make quick adjustments, as he was supposed to fight Keith Thurman, but the latter ruled himself out and Fundora took his place. How do the champion and the challenger stack up ahead of their anticipated clash?

Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora: A tale in numbers

Tszyu is 29 years old and currently boasts an impressive undefeated record of 24-0 with 17 KOs. He has been an active fighter who turns up to fight three times per year. Moreover, he stands tall at 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) and has a reach of 179 cm. Meanwhile, his opponent, Fundora, is even younger at 26 and is coming off a brutal knockout loss and an 11-month layoff.

Fundora makes every other middleweight fighter look small, with his imposing height of 6 ft 5 (197 cm) and threatening reach of 203 cm. Both fighters fight in the same division and have a similar weight. But ‘The Towering Inferno’ seems to have added muscles to his frame since his last defeat. Barring that one odd performance against Brian Mendoza last April, he has left a lasting impression and currently has a record of 20-1-1.

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However, it is the Sydney native who has garnered eyeballs in the last couple of years. Tszyu burst on the scene with his splendid KO win against Tony Harrison last March. He has a fan-friendly, explosive style and a heart to engage with anyone. Besides his zeal to fight anyone, he is also a pressure puncher. Tszyu is a tough and entertaining boxer who wants to carve out a separate identity from his father, boxing legend, Kostya Tszyu. But he has to brush aside 6’5″ Fundora, who might prove to be a formidable foe in the ring.

Styles make matches, but what does Fundora bring to the table?

At 6’5″, you would expect Fundora to fight at range and employ jabs to tear down his rivals. But that’s not the case. The Florida native likes to fight on the inside, but too recklessly. He is too aggressive, paying no heed to defense. He had to pay with a loss when he fought Mendoza, who is a big puncher like Tszyu.

Fundora tends to drop his guard and lean forward in pursuit of landing his punches. But that has only caused him issues, as he should avoid exchanges and allow his opponent to get in close range to land their power punches. What’s more? He just leaves himself hanging, waiting to be hit.

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The Australian, on the contrary, mixes his punches up and throws heavy shots. Fundora has many factors going on for him. Besides his height, he lands hard-hitting uppercuts, which are sure to pose trouble for the WBO champion. But can he pull off a heist and leave the arena with the gold strap?

Prediction: Who wins the gold and a date with Terence Crawford?

Hardcore fans would want Fundora to stay on the perimeter, use his jab effectively, and dance around the ring. They would want him to make Tszyu commit and then capitalize on it with heavy punches. But that’s not how Fundora does things. You can definitely see him unloading hard uppercuts and rushing in to land his punches. But that might not prove enough.

The gulf of skills between Fundora and Tszyu is still large, and once he has gauged the distance and got the right timing, you can expect him to bag a win and, most importantly, a knockout in the later rounds. He will work out Fundora’s body, stay close, and throw his heavy overhand rights. Fundora has been vulnerable because of his approach and chin. Chances are it won’t be different this time, either. Thus, securing their next bout with the pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.

What do you make of this upcoming fight between Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora? Who do you think will come out victorious? Let us know in the comments below.

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