Notebook: Fundora, Tszyu expect another barnburner in title rematch
Pacquiao-Barrios PPV details; Alalshikh, DAZN abandon PPV, all fights to be part of subscription; Valdez, Reynoso split; Quick hits; Show & tell
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LAS VEGAS — When Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora squared off 16 months ago they waged one of the goriest, bloodiest fights boxing had seen in years.
Tszyu bled profusely from late in the second round on due to a horrendous gash on his scalp caused by an accidental elbow/forearm from Fundora, who also poured blood from a first-round nose injury. They were covered in blood for most of the fight. It was not for the faint of heart.
In the end, Fundora won a split decision to take Tszyu’s WBO junior middleweight title and also claimed the vacant WBC belt at T-Mobile Arena in a fight made on less than two weeks’ notice.
Keith Thurman, Tszyu’s original opponent for a 155-pound nontitle bout, suffered torn biceps and was forced out. Fundora, who was on the undercard, moved into the main event for what became a world title fight.
Tszyu had a rematch clause, but Fundora, who has since vacated the WBO title, was permitted to have an interim bout first, and now the rematch is here.
“This is unfinished business for sure,” Tszyu said. “I wasn’t able to show myself completely the first time, and now I get to rewrite history.”
Fundora will defend the WBC title against Tszyu in the co-feature of Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao’s return from a four-year retirement at age 46 to challenge WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios on the Premier Boxing Champions card on Saturday (Prime Video PPV, PPV.COM, 8 p.m. ET, $79.99) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
