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“Whatever It Takes”: Tim Tszyu Reveals Plan for Sebastian Fundora Fight

Published 03/27/2024, 3:37 PM EDT

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In Stephen Fundora, Tim Tszyu finds a challenge that could potentially prove to be unfavorable. While most see the fight as one that could go either way, for the Aussie fighter, he vows to “make a statement.”

This Saturday, at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, ‘The Soul Taker’ will defend his WBO Super Welterweight title against the challenge of ‘The Towering Inferno’, while he also tries to grab the vacant WBC belt. The fight comes at a crucial point for Tszyu. It is being reported that the winner of this weekend’s entertainer will get a fight against Terence Crawford, the potential mandatory challenger for the WBO belt. Will the “Soul Taker” be able to reach that challenge?

Tim Tszyu takes a page out of Brian Mendoza’s chapter

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Speaking to Jai McAllister, he outlined his plans for fight night. While he’s adamant about defeating his opponent, he hopes the win is groundbreaking. He noted, “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.”

In the last leg of his camp, 29-year-old Tszyu is hoping to bring his best when he enters the ring against his Californian opponent. After all, it is perhaps, his hardest challenge to date. 6’5” Fundora has the height, and reach advantage that could faze Tszyu. However, the latter too is notorious for his power. In his 24-fight unbeaten career, he’s proven himself amply. Especially last October, when he defeated Brian Mendonza on points.

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Fundora, 20-1-1, too had his last fight against Nevada-based Mendonza. The April 2023 fight was not kind to Fundora. He lost in the 7th round via a knockout. Despite the loss, the fighter was lauded for his left hook. Does Tszyu feel any pressure to evade the infamous left hook? No, he will do “whatever it takes” to win that night.

While Tszyu vs. Fundora is surely an exciting face-off to look out for, it was not the given choice of opponent for the former. Before solidifying his clash against the 26-year-old Southpaw, everything was set in place for a bout with Keith Thurman. Ten days before fight night, an injury in the training camp jeopardized the fight for Thurman. But in comparison, would that fight have been an easy route for Tim Tszyu?

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Fundora or Thurman? Who’s the harder challenge?

When Tha Boxing Voice quizzed him on this front, he remarked, “No, I think Fundora for sure.” Is Fundora a better fighter in terms of style, in contrast to the ‘One Time’? The Sydney-origin fighter placed his upcoming opponent above Thurman. Why? He cited Fundora’s height and awkward style of fighting.

“You know, like his height, his awkwardness, you know that always presents a tremendous task. You know it’s the what if. How do you get inside? How do you fight him? You know it’s he’s got natural God-given um attributes you know,” he explained.

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Do you think Tim Tsyzu has a harder challenge in Sebastian Fundora than Thurman? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Written by:

Mohammed Shafiulla

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Mohammed Shafiulla is a Boxing writer at EssentiallySports. With a Master’s degree in Journalism from a reputed institute, Shafi has cemented his position as one of the astute observers of boxing at ES. One of the early supporters of Naoya Inoue, Shafi has covered his transition from a Japanese boxer with a niche fan following to a power-punching global boxing star.
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Edited by:

Gokul Pillai