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“This Kid Is a Skyscraper”: Teddy Atlas Explains How 6-Foot-6 Sebastian Fundora’s Height Will Play Important Role Against Champion Tim Tszyu

Published 03/29/2024, 5:54 AM EDT

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Boxing is buzzing for tomorrow night’s Las Vegas showdown between Tim Tszyu (29-0, 14 KOs) and Sebastian Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs). Tszyu, the undefeated WBO super welterweight champion, stands at 5’9″ and is known for his aggressive style and thunderous body shots.

His challenger, however, cuts a much different figure. Towering at 6’6″, Fundora presents a unique challenge with his exceptional reach. But will his height be an advantage or a vulnerability? Legendary trainer Teddy Atlas breaks down this key factor and how it might impact the fight’s outcome.

Can Tszyu exploit the “windows” in Fundora’s height advantage?

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The popular boxing Instagram account, THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas, shared a clip featuring boxing trainer Teddy Atlas analyzing the upcoming fight between Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora. The clip’s caption hinted at a potential weakness for the towering Fundora, stating: “The harder they fall. Teddy looks at how Sebastian Fundora’s physical attributes may make him more of a vulnerable target against WBO super welterweight champ Tim Tszyu when they face off tomorrow night.”

In the clip, Atlas dives into the strategic complexities of height in boxing. “When you’re tall and long, you’ve heard me say it before, you have an advantage obviously on the outside because you can simply hit your opponent before he can get close enough to hit you,” Atlas explained.

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However, Atlas emphasized the flip side of the coin: “But now when you stand tall and close, you give your opponent a huge advantage, you give them a huge target to where you’re literally, literally putting an X on your back. Or of course in this case on your head.”

Atlas employed a colorful metaphor to illustrate his point. “You use the word I’ve used before, skyscrapers can, and this kid is a skyscraper, they have a lot of windows to break.” Here, Atlas compared Fundora’s height to a skyscraper with numerous vulnerable points, suggesting that Tszyu’s focus should be on getting inside and finding those openings. But is it what Tszyu is planning to do?

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Tszyu’s blueprint for overcoming Fundora’s reach

In the strategic chess game that is boxing, Tim Tszyu revealed his meticulous plan for the upcoming bout against Sebastian Fundora. “Look, this fight I have to make it a statement. Do the same thing that Mendoza did. Same thing. So, we’ll be looking for the same shot, not the same punches, but looking for the same exclamation mark,” Tszyu confided to Jai McAllister.

This strategy showcased Tszyu’s intent to mirror the success Brian Mendoza found against Fundora, aiming to capitalize on a similar vulnerability. With the towering Fundora, Tszyu faces a significant reach disadvantage. However, his determination and strategic insight underline his readiness to turn this challenge into his most definitive victory yet.

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Will Tszyu’s calculated approach lead him to triumph, or will Fundora’s height and reach prove too formidable?

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Written by:

Mrinal Mishra

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Mrinal Mishra is a senior writer for Boxing at EssentiallySports. With over 1300+ articles to his name, Mrinal’s articles often find congratulatory mentions from boxing greats like Mia St. John.
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Edited by:

Arijit Saha