‘Cashing cheques': Footy boxing ‘sideshow' trashed as Tim Tszyu primed for ‘redemption'
There are two fights in Australian boxing this week but the gulf in stakes and boxing class between the two couldn't be more stark.
Tim Tszyu (25-2) takes on Sebastian Fundora (22-1) at the MGM Grand for the WBC superwelterweight title on Sunday, more than a year after Fundora handed the Aussie his first ever loss in a Las Vegas nightmare.
Order the full Tszyu vs Fundora II fight card on Main Event, available on Kayo Sports.
A nasty gash from an errant Fundora elbow opened up on Tszyu's forehead and blood poured out of the wound as Tszyu bravely fought on, going the distance.
He lost on the scorecards and his year from hell continued when he got knocked out by Bakhram Murtazaliev last October, appearing spooked by the previous fight.
But Tszyu, 30, got back in the winner's circle with a commanding stoppage win over Joey Spencer in April and now he has his sights set on getting revenge on Fundora, 27, after the 'Towering Inferno' threatened to derail his career.
On the other side of the world, Paul Gallen, 43, and Sonny Bill Williams, 39, fight in Sydney on Wednesday night, finally getting in the ring together as the pair of retired footy players put a decade of bad blood on the line.
Tim Tszyu gets his shot at a rematch after his bloody loss to Sebastian Fundora (right) last year. (Photo by)
AFL great and boxing aficionado Jonathan Brown will be part of Main Event's coverage for Tszyu's fight in Las Vegas, and he told news.com.au that fight is the one worth watching this week.
'Well Tim's fighting for a world title, so he's the best in the world,' Brown said.
'Good on Paul and Sonny for still having a crack and they're in magnificent condition. They had magnificent rugby league careers, and good luck to them.
'But if you're a true fight fan, even if you're not a fight fan, the Tszyu name is legendary in our country and Tim will further that.
'This is the top of the world. The best boxer in the world at this weight division.'
Fox Sports voiceover guru Matt Nable sums up the dynamic about the two fights, which have the same $70 pay-per-view cost, in Main Event's hype package you can watch in the video above.
'If you want Australia's most important fight of the year, you've come to the right place,' Nable says.
'You get the sideshow. This ain't two old footy players cashing cheques long after careers ended. This is the world's biggest boxers in the most famous fighting city, with real world titles on the line.
Sonny Bill Williams has talked a big game over the years. (Photo by)
Paul Gallen is getting in the ring one last time. (Photo by)
'Australia's Tim Tszyu and Manny Pacquiao headline one monstrous event. And you won't get that anywhere else.
'Not one, but two massive world title fights. Yeah, you won't get that anywhere else.'
Gallen has amassed an eye-watering fortune of more than $25 million from his boxing career, earning more from his 18 fights than he did from his NRL career.
Williams and Gallen are set to pocket around $1 million each from this fight.
Tszyu primed for 'redemption'
The stage is set in Vegas this weekend for Tszyu to avenge his loss to Fundora and keep his dream of becoming undisputed boxing world champion alive.
'It's a huge opportunity,' Brown said.
'The journey Tim's been through, he lost those couple of fights — there were a lot of questions about whether he was good enough or able to get back there.
'The story of redemption is something that draws people in and that's why people should watch Tim fight.
'You need that defining moment as an athlete. Tim would have felt like he's been in the depths of hell over an 18-month period.
'He went over to Orlando with high expectations and got cleaned up by Murtazaliev, which would have been shattering. He had to take stock, rebuild himself and he's come out the other side and walked towards the fire.
'It's great the opportunity (of a rematch) has come quicker than expected — to be able to get revenge and get that belt back.
The stage is set for Tim Tszyu's redemption story in Vegas. (Photo by)
'He was clearly the better fighter early in that fight against Fundora before the cut. Hopefully he can make amends, get that back and show what he's truly made of.
'To do it in Las Vegas is huge. He's got the family legacy. Hopefully he can put the Tszyu name in bright lights in his own right and Kostya's not just at the top, Tim goes to the top as well and mentioned in the same conversation. It's the biggest fight for an Australian in quite a while.'
The height difference between Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu is large.
It's a stacked card — Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is fighting Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title at 46 years of age in his first bout since he lost a title fight to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
'I saw him fight Jeff Horn, which was amazing. One of the greatest sporting events I've ever been to at Suncorp Stadium,' Brown said.
'To see him in Las Vegas and be there for Tim is going to be pretty cool.'
Manny Pacquiao trains ahead of his world title fight. Photo:/AFP.
Also on the card is Mexican boxing star Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz, who takes on Angel Fierro at super lightweight.
'With Pitbull and Pacquiao fighting, it's a massive card,' Brown said.
Brown was a fierce competitor on the field for the Brisbane Lions but he has no desire to fight, apart from the odd sparring session.
'I've put the shield down, it's been a long time,' Brown said.
'The last time I sparred was against my young fella, he's 12. He put one on me and my ear was ringing for about two nights.
'No plans to jump in the ring, certainly not anymore.'
Coverage on Sunday begins with the prelims on Fox Sports at 7:30am and the PPV on Main Event at 10am. You can purchase the PPV here.
TSZYU VS FUNDORA II FULL FIGHT CARD
Tim Tszyu vs Sebastian Fundora (c) — for WBC super welterweight title
Mario Barrios (c) vs Manny Pacquiao — for the WBC welterweight title
Isaac Cruz vs Angel Fierro — super lightweight
Brandon Figueroa vs Joet Gonzalez — featherweight
Originally published as 'Cashing cheques': Footy boxing 'sideshow' trashed as Tim Tszyu primed for 'redemption'
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