Australia’s Tim Tszyu has questioned the punching power – and chin — of America’s Towering Inferno after squaring off for the first time with his oversized world title rival.
After spending eight weeks preparing to stand over Keith Thurman in his first Las Vegas face off, Tszyu has instead found himself staring up at the 197cm Sebastian Fundora.
So obvious was the size difference between the two men that Tszyu likened his impending T-Mobile Arena showdown on Sunday, March 31 to “David versus Goliath”.
BOXING: Tszyu v Fundora + Zerafa v Lara LIVE from Las Vegas | WED 31 MAR 11AM AEDT | Exclusive to Main Event, order on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription needed.
MORE: Meet the 187cm US southpaw who has flown into Vegas to save Tszyu
Awkwardness: Fundora fight plan revealed | 04:01
Elsewhere, Australia’s boxing poster boy also praised the “awkwardness” of his rival, but questioned the power of a fighter whose punches he has been told “don’t hurt”.
Tszyu also stressed that it hadn’t taken much for the American to be knocked out in his most recent fight against Brian Mendoza, despite having dominated through seven rounds.
“Clean, textbook left hook,” he said. “That’s all it took.
The first meeting between the two fighters follows a chaotic week that saw Thurman withdraw injured from a headliner that will now see Tszyu and Fundora throw down for both the WBO and WBC titles.
Speaking at an open workout session, the undefeated WBO super welterweight champ also spoke about unifying a division just like his Hall of Fame father Kostya, adding: “I hope one day they say the Tszyus are the greatest family to step into boxing”.
Tszyu also questioned the punching power of a rival who, in his most recent outing last April, was dominating a fight against Mendoza when brutally knocked out in a big upset.
The Sydneysider would himself fight Mendoza at the end of 2023, winning via decision, and had brought him into his Las Vegas camp to help prepare for Thurman.
“And the funny thing is last week I was speaking to Mendoza and out of nowhere we had a chat about Fundora,” Tszyu said.
“He said a few things.
“It was interesting to get that insight.
“Then a few days later me and him are on, it’s funny how worlds can align.”
Fundora shows no concerns for Tszyu | 01:40
Pushed on what was said, Tszyu continued: “He says (Fundora) is awkward, because he uses his height in different ways
“But his punches don’t hurt.
“So I guess we’ll have to see on the night.”
Tszyu also appeared to question the chin of Fundora when asked what his biggest takeaways had been from watching back his shock loss to Mendoza.
“Mendoza caught him with a clean punch,” he said.
“Didn’t take much.
“Clean, textbook left hook … that’s all it took.”
And as for a message for fight fans?
“Don’t blink,” Tszyu grinned.
Elsewhere, the Aussie said he had met Fundora previously – “he’s a good fella” – and said there was no denying the oversized challenge he faces in every sense.
“Just a week’s notice, a quick preparation to face a fighter like that,” he said.
“It’s David versus Goliath.”
Tszyu added the biggest test was Fundora’s “awkwardness”
“You’ve got someone that tall, that lanky, who has a completely different style to Thurman, someone I’ve been preparing for eight weeks,” he said.
“But nothing fazes me, nothing worries me.
“The show goes on.”
BOXING: Tszyu v Fundora + Zerafa v Lara LIVE from Las Vegas | WED 31 MAR 11AM AEDT | Exclusive to Main Event, order on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription needed.
“Ready to shock world & make statement” | 03:14
Asked if he was preparing to spend his night digging into Fundora’s body, Tszyu continued: “No particularly.
“I’ll hopefully find the right shots.
“Every great boxer finds a way to win so whatever it is on the night.
“This fight is now a unification, the WBC has come on board which I’m grateful for. Another legacy defining type fight.
“I hope one day they say the Tszyus are the greatest family to step into boxing.”
Fundora meanwhile said little was changing for him, given he was already preparing to fight for the WBC strap on the same card against Serhii Bohachuk – a similar fighter to Tszyu.
“We got the call Sunday, very big news,” he said.
“Fighting for the WBC and WBO title, God works in mysterious ways.
“And I’m not complaining.
“I’m just going to work on what I need to do.
“With (Bohachuk), he was right handed, shorter than me and a pressure puncher.
“I feel it’s the same with Tim Tszyu.
“So I just need to stick with what I need to do.
“Stick to my plan.”
Fundora also said he didn’t watch Tszyu beat Mendoza last year, saying: “I didn’t watch it, I was working with my dad.
“We were doing a fan.
“We were busy.
“But with my fight against Mendoza, of course I lost but I thought the fight was easy before that (being kayoed).
“I’m just going to do my thing.
“Worry about Sebastian Fundora and nobody else.”
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