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The Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora: The hidden danger for Tim Tszyu in Sebastian Fundora rematch
He has promised another war, but Tim Tszyu has been warned his rematch with Sebastian Fundora won't be as simple as picking up where he left off before his gruesome, fighting-changing cut. Tszyu dominated the opening two rounds of their first fight in Las Vegas last year, before copping an elbow to the top of the head that opened a horrendous cut which poured blood into his eyes. He fought the next 10 rounds with severely compromised vision, before losing a razor-thin split decision, with Fundora taking home the WBO and WBC world titles. But Fundora didn't get through the first few rounds unscathed. The 197cm tall Californian showed incredible grit to battle through a broken nose and bad lacerations inside his mouth, Aussie boxing icon Danny Green warns 'The Soul Taker' that Fundora's own ruggedness shouldn't go unnoticed. Tszyu was able to dish out some damage. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) In 2011, Green was seemingly en route to scoring a WBC cruiserweight world title win over Poland's Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in Perth. He was well ahead on the scorecards before Wlodarczyk broke his nose late in the fight and ended up knocking him out in the 11th. 'I've suffered badly broken noses in fights,' Green told Code Sports. 'When I fought for the WBC cruiserweight world title, I was dominating the fight, and if my opponent hadn't broken my nose in round nine, I daresay I would've been victorious. 'I was ahead on the scorecards when I got knocked out, but my engine slowed down because I couldn't breathe. 'That broken nose and the cuts in the mouth, it would've made it really difficult. 'What that would've done to Fundora, it would've restricted his breathing, restricted his oxygen intake and limited his engine's capacity. 'He couldn't have the same output because he couldn't breathe, so his challenges were equally as significant as Tim Tszyu's not being able to see because of the blood.' While many boxing insiders considered Fundora to have an asterisk next to his name after becoming a unified world champion in such incredible circumstances, the 27-year-old silenced any doubters with a fourth round title defence over Chordale Booker in March. Fundora cemented his reputation as a legitimate world champion with a stoppage win over Chordale Booker. Picture:Tszyu is the betting favourite ahead of their rematch, but knows only too well how tough and how tough Fundora truly is. 'What Fundora had to go through as well, he had internal damage,' Tszyu told Code Sports. 'I had artificial damage – I was completely blindsided. 'It's a weird scenario. We both went through hell and back. We both faced our demons in that fight. 'That's why people will be talking about it for a long time, what we both went through and the fact that it was that close. 'That's the best thing about boxing. 'I'll be telling him this time to keep his elbows down this time.' If one judge had scored the 12th and final round in Tszyu's favour, the fight would have been a split draw and he would have left Vegas a world champion. With the cut and only having two weeks to prepare for the fight, it's why Tszyu still doesn't view the bloodbath defeat as a loss. Tszyu putting the finishing touches on camp in Las Vegas. Picture: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions 'The decision could've gone either way, so – it's weird – I came back and I didn't feel like it was a loss,' he said. 'This is a new chapter, a new beginning. 'I know Fundora is one hell of a fighter, one hell of a champion. The current king at 154. 'It's my turn to reclaim the throne. 'I've had 10 weeks to prepare for his style, which is a blessing. Knowing you have two weeks to prepare for Fundora is quite hard. 'That's no excuses, but I'm prepared. If you tell me tomorrow, we can go at it. It doesn't bother me. 'I'm just going to chop him. Slowly. Just chop him from the legs up.' Despite his warning, Green believes Tszyu will become a two-time world champion next weekend. 'I see Tim winning, he looked good in the first couple of rounds and was tagging Fundora nicely with the right hand,' he said. 'I think Tim will find a home for that right hand and I see Tim being victorious.' 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
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Strictly star swaps ballroom for Hollywood with movie debut
Olympic champion and former Strictly Come Dancing star Nicola Adams has lined up her debut acting role in an upcoming Hollywood movie. Former professional boxer Nicola, 42, appeared on the 18th series of the BBC dance competition in 2020. She made history when partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones as the show's first-ever same-sex partnership. However, her Strictly dreams were cut abruptly short when they were forced to withdraw during the fourth week of the competition, after Katya tested positive for Covid-19. The two-time Olympic champ will now pursue another dream—turning her hand to acting in an upcoming movie. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Nicola will star alongside Poppy Delevigne, Jack Kesy, and Bruce Willis's daughter, Rumer, in the allegorical thriller The Gun on Second Street. Talking about her career move, Nicola told The Sun: 'I just want to work with people that are just as hungry as I am. 'I'm not one of those people that just show up and just expect everything to be fine. 'I put in the work, I put in the graft, just as I do as an athlete as well. I want to take it as far as I can in terms of how I grow as an actor, being able to experience different types of roles, playing different characters that really flex my abilities and my ability to be able to dig deep on the emotions that are needed for the more dark characters.' Written and directed by Rohit Karn Batra, its story follows two police officers who are called to a domestic violence dispute on the titular Second Street in Philadelphia. The call-out goes awry when one officer accidentally shoots and kills the other. The film is described as an allegory about the gun crisis in America. At present, Nicola is listed on IMDB, although her character has not been named. Nicola rose to fame during the Olympics in 2012, becoming the first female boxer to win Olympic Gold for Britain. She went on to successfully defend her title at Rio 2016, before winning the title of WBO (World Boxing Organisation) flyweight in 2019. The athlete was forced into an early retirement that same year due to a serious eye injury, having only fought six times as a pro. She returned to the spotlight the very next year as a Strictly hopeful and has since expressed how much she'd love to return as a contestant due to 'unfinished business' after her premature departure. Of her decision to retire, Nicola said in 2019: 'I'm immensely honoured to have represented our country—to win double Olympic gold medals and then the WBO championship belt is a dream come true. 'But it's not without taking its toll on my body, and aside from the expected aches and pains, I've been advised that any further impact to my eye would most likely lead to irreparable damage and permanent vision loss. 'Boxing has always been such an important part of my life—and it always will—but after training every day for over 20 years, my body is quite looking forward to a rest!' More recently, Nicola is reported to have split from her partner of seven years, Ella Baig. The boxer began dating the OnlyFans model, 27, after they met on a night out in 2018. More Trending Now, the couple share two-year-old son, Taylor Nate, who was born via IVF using one of Nicola's eggs. A spokesperson told The Sun in March: 'Nicola and Ella have shared an incredible journey together, full of love, growth, and resilience. 'After much thoughtful reflection and important therapy work, they have made the difficult decision to separate. View More » 'Their priority remains their son, Taylor, and they are committed to co-parenting with love and respect.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Strictly Come Dancing confirms two new professionals after show scandals MORE: Strictly star recalls being confronted about full frontal nudity on OnlyFans MORE: Strictly star Anton Du Beke opens up on wife's 'cruel' diagnosis
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Zayas outpoints Garcia to win vacant WBO title
In what will be the last Top Rank on ESPN broadcast, Xander Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) became the youngest active world champion today at 22 years of age, winning the WBO's vacant super welterweight title by outpointing Jorge Garcia (33-5, 26 KOs) over twelve full rounds of action. Zayas, who was clearly the superior talent between the two, would have to show that he could endure the hard-charging, relentless pressure attack of Garcia. Zayas would have to take some punches along the way, but he largely boxed a beautiful fight and outclassed Garcia over the distance. After the final bell the judges turned in official scores of 116-112, 118-108, and 119-109, all in favor of Zayas who has now realized his childhood dream. Bruce Carrington UD-12 Mateus Heita (119-109, 119-109, 120-108) Bruce Carrington (16-0, 9 KOs) dominated his interim WBC featherweight title fight against Mateus Heita (14-1, 9 KO), clearly outpointing him over 12 full rounds. While Heita landed some solid shots in spots, he was otherwise getting hit with everything but the kitchen sink from Carrington in return. If Carrington carried any demonstrable power, he likely would've gotten Heita out of there or at least dropped him a few times, but instead he'll just have to settle for a clear points win. Emiliano Vargas KO-1 (0:42) Alexander Espinoza Emiliano Vargas (15-0, 13 KOs) scored a spectacular first round knockout of Alexander Espinoza (20-4-1, 9 KOs) on the televised opener. Within a minute of the first round Espinoza got caught by a massive pull counter by a Vargas right hand that landed flush, completely crushing Espinoza who had no shot at beating the count. The ending came at the 0:42 minute mark of Round 1. Vargas, who made an emphatic statement says he'll look to continue to climb the ladder towards world title contention. More from What's next for Terence Crawford? Is a jump to PBC in his near future? Dave Allen announces retirement from boxing at 28 Fury's return pushed back to 2021, Dec. 5 date off Pros react to Crawford's sudden stoppage win over Brook Arum furious over Franco-Moloney 2 decision, threatens to 'get the f*** out of Vegas' Hearn: It's 'laughable' to rate Fury's resume over Joshua's Brook ponders retirement after KO loss to Crawford
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Oleksandr Usyk and Lennox Lewis agree in their prediction for next heavyweight world champion
LENNOX LEWIS and Oleksandr Usyk are in agreement over who will be the heavyweight division's next world champion. Advertisement 3 Lennox Lewis with undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk Credit: instagram But the masterful Ukrainian - who also beat Fury in the December rematch - only has one bout left in his career The question remains who will surpass Usyk when the two-weight and three-time undisputed champ retires. But the man himself told Itauma - still only 20 - Advertisement READ MORE IN boxing He drew comparisons to a young Mike Tyson And boxing greatness of the past and present are in agreement as Lewis echoed Usyk's assessment. He said: 'Itauma is the next coming. Advertisement Most read in Boxing 3 Moses Itauma is tipped as the next heavyweight world champion Credit: PA CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'We've got a lot of heavyweights and great fighters coming out of Britain right now. Moses is definitely one of them.' Usyk, 38, has claimed he has one fight left before hanging up his gloves - and the WBO have ordered him to face Joseph Parker, 33, next. Advertisement He QUIT! Chisora | Split Decision | Usyk vs Dubois 2 fight review | Sun Sport But Fury has also called for a trilogy bout at Wembley following his two losses in Riyadh. And promoter Frank Warren said: "I would like to see the Joe Parker fight. Joe deserves it. "He's on a run himself, same as Daniel was on, and that's the fight that's been ordered. "So one way or another it will happen, or Joe will fight for the vacant title. Advertisement "Tyson has made it very clear to me; he'd love that [Usyk] fight, he would love to do that fight and it'd be a big fight." 3 Joseph Parker and Tyson Fury both want to fight Usyk next Credit: GETTY
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Zayas, 22, becomes youngest active world champion
Puerto Rico's Xander Zayas has become boxing's youngest active world champion at the age of 22 by gaining a unanimous points victory over Mexico's Jorge Garcia Perez to win the vacant WBO light-middleweight title. At New York's Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Zayas secured a dominant points victory by margins of 116-112, 118-110 and 119-109. "This is a dream come true," said Zayas, who turned professional at 17. "This is beautiful. To see my Puerto Rican fans here, this is amazing. I could never dream of anything better than this." Unbeaten Zayas, who has won all 22 of his professional fights, took control of the contest with quick jabs to the body and powerful rights. Garcia, suffering only his fifth loss in his 38th bout, managed to go toe-to-toe with Zayas in a thrilling sixth round, but could not maintain that pressure as Zayas was able to show his class and dominate the later rounds. "I had to box my way to victory," added Zayas. "I knew if I stood in front of him I'd be fighting his fight. So, I did everything behind the jab. The jab was the key to victory, and we showed that." US-born Puerto Rican Wilfred Benitez holds the record for being the youngest-ever world champion as he was 17 years and 176 days when he won the WBA light-welterweight belt in March 1976. Boxing schedule and results 2025 Watch every Born to Brawl episode More boxing from the BBC Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport
