Tszyu's loyal cutman Mark Gambin ready for Fundora rematch in Vegas
And it's no exaggeration that it did look like a grizzly crime scene by the time Tim Tszyu walked out of the ring a bloody mess after his razor-thin split decision defeat to Sebastian Fundora last year.
Gambin was the cut man that night, and the Sydneysider received intense criticism for his inability to stem the bleeding from the worst gash seen in professional boxing last year.
So if there's anyone – other than Tszyu – who could be forgiven for wanting a personal redemption arc this weekend, it's Gambin, who flew out to Las Vegas on Monday night and will once again work the corner.
But Gambin's response when asked about making things right on a personal level speaks volumes.
Tszyu needed a miracle to stop the bleeding. Picture:It tells you everything you need to know about why Tszyu didn't rush into making wholesale changes to his team like much of the boxing world was urging him to last year.
'I can't wait to get in there and make sure everything's right for Tim and for him to get the win,' Gambin told Code Sports. 'I just want to get in there and rip in and work hard as a team for Tim.
'That's the most exciting part about it, just getting in and getting the win for Tim.'
It's not about him, it's about the fighter.
Which isn't very common in the cutthroat world of professional boxing.
There were some incredibly dark moments for Gambin after the first Fundora fight.
As the pile on hit and he became the scapegoat for the first loss of Tszyu's career, he deleted all his social media accounts.
He had originally planned on spending a few days in Vegas after the fight, but left Sin City early, driving to Los Angeles and flying out the very next day.
As Tszyu prepares for his rematch with Fundora at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this weekend, Gambin still doesn't want any of the spotlight.
Tszyu and Gambin have worked together for years. Picture: Supplied
'That was a tough night for him, and he would've felt it the most out of anyone,' he said. 'We all would've had our little sad times when we got home, but he would've felt it the most.
'And we all understand that too.
'He's the athlete, he's the reason we're all flying to Las Vegas.'
There were calls from at home and abroad for Tszyu to immediately ditch his team following the Fundora bloodbath.
But after working with the same small crew for most of his 27 fight career, making wholesale changes was never an option.
Gambin missed Tszyu's defeat to Bakhram Murtazaliev when he needed an emergency appendectomy at the start of fight week and wasn't allowed to travel to Orlando.
It sparked speculation that he'd been dumped from the team, but he was back on deck for Tszyu demolition of Joey Spencer in April, when he had remarkably little to do.
'It's also for me to thank him and make sure that he knows that I can cover anything he needs in that corner,' Gambin said. 'That's what I want to show him.
Tim Tszyu with cutman Mark Gambin (L) and trainer Igor Goloubev (R). Picture: Supplied
'When we did Joey Spencer, I think Tim felt really good with the team around him, and we sort've just want to pay him back and make it so that he knows that we've all got his back.'
As for any changes he's made, Gambin says he might need to pay for extra baggage after doubling up on everything in his fight night kit bag.
'Whatever I had before, I've now got two of,' he laughed. 'It's just about being completely ready – not that we weren't last time – but it puts it in perspective.
'If I had one packet of gauze, I've now got two packets. If I had five ampoules of adrenaline, now I've got 10.
'So my bag's getting pretty big, but I know I can do my job, mate.
'That was a freak night and it'll probably never happen again in the history of boxing. Touch wood.
'The majority of people wouldn't have stopped that cut. Actually, no one would've stopped it.
'You've just gotta cop it. I was there, no one else was there, and it was just a fountain. It wasn't a cut, it was a fountain, so it wasn't getting stopped.'
Read related topics: Greens
Brendan Bradford
Content producer
Brendan Bradford is a sports writer for CODE Sports. He primarily covers combat sports, league, union, cycling and athletics. Brendan has worked in sports media for a decade, covering world title fights, World Cups, Grand Slams and Spring Tours.
@1bbradfo
Brendan Bradford
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
9 hours ago
- News.com.au
Lionel Messi embarrassed as he and wife Antonela are shown on Coldplay kiss cam
Lionel Messi was caught in a rare moment of awkwardness with his stunning wife Antonela Roccuzzo at a Coldplay concert. The loved-up couple were enjoying the British rock-band's final US show in Miami when the dreaded kiss cam landed squarely on them, The Sun reports. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. It comes days after the kiss scam scandal involving married and now former Astronomer chief executive Andy Byron and HR head Kristin Cabot. Their ducking reaction to being filmed at Boston's gig caught the world's attention – with millions now talking about an alleged affair. And while many might seize the opportunity for a public smooch, Messi seemed to go bright red given the circumstances (see below). Footage circulating on social media showed the Inter Miami star smiling sheepishly, while Antonela, ever graceful, beamed beside him. With everyone in the crowd cheering 'Messi', the couple waved to fans before Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin serenaded them. Martin, who had jokingly called out Byron and Cabot's potential 'affair' during his performance last week, thanked Messi for coming and called him 'the No. 1 sports person of all-time'. And it didn't take long for fans online to see the funny side. One wrote: 'They should have tried to hide for a second. That would be hilarious.' While another said: 'They were just singing and not dodging any Cam scandals.' A third said: 'Jumbotron with Lionel Messi! (He didn't hide, though).' A fourth joked: 'At least someone went with their own wife. Good.' Although not spotted in the viral clip, Antonela later posted snaps of the couple's three sons enjoying the show at the Hard Rock Stadium. Thiago, 12, was pictured wearing a Coldplay cap, while Mateo, nine, wore a snazzy pair of 3D glasses as Ciro, six, cuddled into his dad. Meanwhile, Messi was serving a one-match suspension for Inter Miami's game against FC Cincinnati on Saturday. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and fellow Barcelona legend Jordi Alba were punished for skipping Major League Soccer's All-Star game earlier this week. Both players missed Wednesday's match in Austin, Texas where the MLS squad posted a 3-1 win against Mexico's Liga MX All-Stars. Elsewhere, humiliated Byron and Cabot quit their jobs at the tech company as a result of the scandal. And Martin's ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow was hired by Astronomer for a tongue-in-cheek video, in what fans are describing as a genius PR move.
The Australian
9 hours ago
- The Australian
Warwick Farm tips, inside mail for Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Form expert Adam Sherry analyses the seven-race card at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, presenting his best bets, quaddie picks and inside mail. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ WARWICK FARM TIPS BEST BET Race 4 No.5 TAZIMA: Nice fourth at his Australian debut. Extra trip suits. NEXT BEST Race 6 No.1 CASSIEL: Runner-up in Saturday grade last start. Can bounce back. VALUE BET Race 3 No.7 AROHA STONE: Back in grade and distance. Very unlucky here two runs back. QUADDIE Race 4: 5, 9 Race 5: 1, 8, 10 Race 6: 1, 5, 6 Race 7: 5, 10, 13 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW James McDonald is back in town and can take out the TAB Jockey Challenge. LAY OF THE DAY Race 2 No.6 THE STARS: Drawn wide in an open race. A worthy risk at anything less than $4. WARWICK FARM INSIDE MAIL RACE 1: 2&3yo Maiden Handicap (1600m) INDIGO STAR (2) was no match for Stardeel but worked home okay for second over 1100m first-up on the Kensington. Raced three-wide without cover when third to Invisible Magic over 1400m last start. Looks like he will appreciate the step up to the mile. RASP (6) was third at Ballarat at his first run for a new stable before a good closing third at Bendigo over 1400m. Was fourth to Broadsiding in the Fernhill at his only go at this trip. DOLLARS (8) didn't have a lot of luck when beaten as favourite at Coffs Harbour. Handy second at Newcastle last start over this trip. BET: INDIGO STAR (2) to win. RACE 2: 2&3yo Maiden Plate (1100m) DUKE ATREIDES (8), the half-brother to Best Of Bordeaux, started favourite on debut when a two-length fourth to the very promising San Giovanni who won again on the weekend. This colt will take improvement from the run and drawn to be prominent. KOKATAHI (10) was good on debut when a three-quarter length third to Central Coast over 1250m at Canterbury on June 18. Followed up with a handy third to Tomato Toastie at Randwick on July 12. Back to maiden grade. THE STARS (6) placed at her last two runs on last campaign and returned with a second to Samarelle at Newcastle. BET: DUKE ATREIDES (8) each-way. RACE 3: Fillies & Mares Benchmark 72 (1600m) AROHA STONE (7) was something beaten here two runs back when badly held up before finishing a nose behind Covert Thinking. Up in grade and found a strongly run 1800m tough when seventh to Aberlour. Back in grade and back to the mile suits. AUDREY'S LANE (3) resumed from an eight month lay-off with a handy second to Bella Corazon when giving away 3kg. With the benefit of that run, she came from midfield to beat the in-form California Secret at Newcastle. AUTUMN DREAM (6) was very good winning at Kembla last start. Ready to step up to city company. BET: AROHA STONE (7) each-way. RACE 4: Colts, Horses & Geldings Benchmark 72 (1600m) TAZIMA (5) settled three back on the rails before running home strongly late for a three-quarter length fourth to Sammy Conquers All over 1400m on the Kensington at his Australian debut. Won over 2011m at his second and last run in England. FIORSUM FRED (9) was very unlucky at Tamworth two starts ago when held up. He finished eighth to Rajnish but should has gone close to winning. Jumped up in grade and beaten less than three lengths behind Boys Night out in the South Grafton Cup. Drops back sharply in grade and only goes up 2kg. PINK SHALALA (4) and KAPAKIRI (2) have claims. BET: TAZIMA (5) to win. RACE 5: Benchmark 72 (2200m) NAVAL COMMISSION (1) should have run a place at the very least at Rosehill last start when held at two vital stages in the last 150m and finishing fifth behind Good Banter. Placed at his previous three runs as he was building in trip. Winner at this track and distance. HOVLAND (8) was beaten a nose second-up at Gosford before a nice win from Magicon over 1800m at Hawkesbury. Stepped up in class when a length fifth to Monarchs Brae on a heavy track at Canterbury. Up to 2200m for the first time and the blinkers come off. MAGICON (10) has been racing well and scored a deserved win over this trip at Grafton last start. BET: NAVAL COMMISSION (1) to win. RACE 6: Benchmark 72 (1000m) CASSIEL (1) was kicked off his campaign with a good wins at Canterbury on Apr 21 and at Hawkesbury on June 17. Denied the hat-trick when stepping up to Saturday grade when runner-up to Bundeena in a Bm78 at Randwick. Back in grade and hard to beat. MABEL (6) hasn't won since Nov 2023 but she has run some good races. Was a nose second to Angel Fund in a Randwick Midway in January and was a little unlucky when fourth to Bundeena at Randwick last start. JAMBALAYA (5) resumes after a stylish trial win here on July 8. Has a win and two placings from his three fresh runs. BET: CASSIEL (1) to win. RACE 7: Benchmark 72 (1300m) GOLDEN STRAAND (10) was a little green on debut when a length second to Sapphire Rose at Wyong before breaking through with a big Super Maiden win at Gosford. Jumped up to a Bm72 with a game second to Diddle Dumpling at Rosehill. THE REPLICANT (13) hasn't won since beaten Bluff 'N' Bluster over 1400m here on Oct 2, 2023 but is rarely far away. Placed his last two at Canterbury and drawn ideally. AFRICAN DAISY (5) ended an 889-day drought in winning a Rosehill Midway last start. BET: GOLDEN STRAAND (10) to win.
The Australian
9 hours ago
- The Australian
Callum Peters looking for breakout boxing performance after Vegas sparring stint
He has travelled the world boxing as an amateur, but rising star Callum Peters (3-0) turned a few heads in Las Vegas two weeks ago. That's when the 22-year-old Paris Olympian went toe-to-toe in sparring with highly regarded American super-middleweight Elijah Garcia. From South Australia, the charismatic Peters was in Sin City to watch Tim Tszyu and Manny Pacquiao, but more than held his own against the much more experienced Garcia. 'He put it on him,' said one witness. 'He towelled him up'. Callum Peters (L) lost a controversial decision to Nurbek Oralbay in Paris in a fight that was later ruled the best of the Olympics. Picture: Jiang Wenyao/Xinhua via Getty Images After one session, Garcia refused to do any more rounds with '50 Cal'. Which is a fair effort when you consider Peters only has three professional fights to his name, with a fourth, against rugged Kiwi Marcus Heywood (9-8-2), coming up on Wednesday night in Brisbane. While Peters was losing a controversial decision to eventual gold medallist Nurbek Oralbay in Paris last year, Garcia had just finished up a three fight run appearing on two Gervonta Davis undercards and one Canelo Alvarez blockbuster at venues including T-Mobile Arena and the MGM Grand. In his most recent bout, Garcia battled back from a knockdown to defeat one-time Tim Tszyu opponent Terrell Gausha by decision. Peters shrugged off the sparring showdown when asked about it in Vegas as he prepares for his second fight in five weeks. His main goal is to showcase his talents on another televised card on Wednesday. But the ironic thing is that those same talents – which include an abnormally high punch output, and some deft footwork courtesy of his now trademarked indoor football shoes – mean he hasn't actually had the opportunity to display his skills. None of his three opponents to date have made it out of the first round. 'Marcus looks like a hard boy, he's fought some hard opponents and he'll bring a good show,' he said. 'He should make it past the first round. 'Hopefully people get to see more of me. 'I like to throw a lot of volume, there's always punches going.' There were questions raised when Peters was spotted in Vegas just a week and a half before his fight with Heywood. But the amateur star is no stranger to disrupted fight prep. Peters stopped Luca Lanigan inside one round. Picture:for No Limit Boxing His first scheduled opponent in Cairns in June pulled out with Covid, and a Kiwi replacement was forced out just three days before the fight when he wasn't allowed in the country. Another replacement was found just two days before the bout, with local Muay Thai fighter Luca Lanigan copping three heavy knockdowns before the referee mercifully waved it off. 'I've just got back from Vegas, I'm prepped and I'm ready to go,' Peters said. 'Watching Tim and Manny Pacquiao got me thinking it could be me one day fighting in front of all those people and showing everyone all the hard work I've been doing in the gym.' Elijah Garcia (R) on the Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia undercard. Picture:Peters has called out a who's who of domestic fighters from middleweight to light-heavyweight, but after this week's fight will turn his attention to the amateur world championships in September. Meanwhile, a win in Wednesday's main event will propel Aussie-based Kiwi Floyd Masson (15-2) into world title contention. Peters gets his hand raised in Cairns last month. Picture:for No Limit Boxing Masson takes on John Parker (11-1) – the younger brother of former heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker – and the 33-year-old year-old has his sights on the very elite of the cruiserweight division. And that could mean a potential domestic world title blockbuster. 'Jai (Opetaia) is the best cruiserweight in the world,' Masson said. 'At the end of the day, you're here to fight the best and prove yourself against the best. 'Those are the opportunities I'm chasing. 'As a fighter, you back yourself against anyone, and I believe I can beat anyone. 'We're ready to chase down another world title.' Brendan Bradford Content producer Brendan Bradford is a sports writer for CODE Sports. He primarily covers combat sports, league, union, cycling and athletics. Brendan has worked in sports media for a decade, covering world title fights, World Cups, Grand Slams and Spring Tours. @1bbradfo Brendan Bradford
