Tim Tszyu has been caught up in a heated row with Sebastian Fundora’s manager prior to his huge world title press conference inside the MGM Grand here in Las Vegas, telling the famed agent: “You disrespected me”.
Australia’s boxing poster boy also took a swipe at Fundora himself, saying he couldn’t believe the towering American would allow himself to be eating “s***” like pizza days out from a world title fight.
BOXING: Don’t miss Tim Tszyu in a unified World Title fight this Sunday against 6-foot 6 Towering Inferno Sebastian Fundora. Plus catch fellow Aussie Michael Zerafa taking on Erislandy Lara for his shot to become the Middle Weight World Champion LIVE from Las Vegas | SUN 31 MAR 11AM AEDT | Exclusive to Main Event, order on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription needed.
Already the WBO super welterweight champion, Tszyu is now looking to unify a division just like his Hall of Fame father when he fights for both WBO and WBC gold at T Mobile Arena this Sunday.
Prior to the press conference however, it was famed boxing manager Sampson Lewkowicz – aka, the man who discovered Manny Pacquiao – who was in the crosshairs.
Surprised onlookers watched on as the pair were involved in a heated, if brief, exchange where Tszyu went at it with the man he has already branded “the weasel” this week.
The showdown came only 24 hours after Lewkowicz suggested he would no longer be bringing Fundora Down Under for a rematch when he unifies, and suggested Tszyu may even have to take another fight before they clash again.
That followed on from an earlier article where the US agent revealed the rematch clause was in play, headlined: “Fundora plans to knock Tim Tszyu out twice as rematch clause revealed”.
Asked about that headline way back on Monday, while warming up before training, Tszyu had suggested it likely wasn’t Fundora who had said anything but his “weasel” manager.
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As a result, things got lively when the pair finally met up for the first time before a huge press conference inside the sprawling MGM Grand ballroom.
Asked by Fox Sports Australia what was said between the two, Tszyu replied: “I just said ‘you disrespected me’.
“Told him ‘you said when we beat you we’ll come down to Australia’.
“I told him that ain’t happening.
“And I started calling him the weasel because he is a weasel.”
So as for his response?
“He was trying to play it cool,” Tszyu grinned.
“He’s just a typical promoter, old school promoter with the fat cold chains …”
Tszyu also admitted he was surprised to see pictures posted to socials overnight of Fundora eating pizza with his sister, IBF flyweight queen Gabriela Fundora.
“Fundora having pizza, having burgers,” Tszyu started, “I was in shock.
“As a professional athlete, two days out from his fight and he’s eating s*** like that?
“It baffles me.
“I live and breath this sport.
“And I live by that code of the disciplined lifestyle.”
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Tszyu also said he was proud to be headlining an Aussie boxing boom – which includes the likes of Jai Opetaia, George Kambosos, Michael Zerafa, the Moloney twins, Sam Goodman, Liam Wilson, Michael Zerafa and Liam Paro.
Asked if this was a golden age of Australia boxing, he replied: “I would say so.
“We’re all on the rise.
“A small little island producing the talent that’s taking over the world.”
Enjoying yourself?
“I’m a young kid living the dream,” he grinned.
“I’m 29 years young and my face is all over the MGM Grand.
“How can you not enjoy it?
“I started off with a small show at the SCG.
“Then I was at Doltone House, my pay was $1500 for that fight.
“But now six years later we’re here at the MGM Grand.
“So it has taken time.
“Taken years and years of hard work.
“I haven’t just been given this.”
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