‘Unfinished business’: Tszyu catapulted back into title fight as rematch of bloody war confirmed

Tim Tszyu has been sensationally catapulted back into a blockbuster world title rematch with towering American Sebastian Fundora, with a replay of their 2024 bloodbath likely to take place in Las Vegas during the US summer.

As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia immediately after his most recent win over US prospect Joey Spencer, Tszyu is set to return to the world’s fight capital for a shot at redemption against the man who stole his crown in a bloody split decision war last March.

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Contracts have been signed between both Tszyu and the towering 27-year-old US southpaw who famously upset him for both the WBO and WBC titles, with America’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) officially announcing the fight on Wednesday morning on social media with the tagline “unfinished business’.

No official fight date has been set but multiple US reports overnight said the fight would likely happen in July or August, with Fundora set to vacate his WBO title — scrapping a planned bout with Puerto Rican prospect Xander Zayas — and put his WBC strap on the line against Tszyu.

US boxing journalist Lance Pugmire was the first to suggest early on Wednesday morning (Australian time) that Fundora will not participate in the scheduled purse bid for his mandatory defense against Zayas.

Instead, Fundora will face Tszyu with only the WBC belt up for grabs.

The American’s agent also told BoxingScene that nothing has yet been finalized, with three dates in July and August under consideration.

“This is the fight that everyone wants to see,” Lewkowicz said of Fundora-Tszyu II. “It will be raining blood.”

It is also being reported that Fundora’s decision to take on Tszyu – who sits at No.6 with the WBC, but is now unranked by the WBO — means that he will be stripped of the WBO title, leaving Zayas to face No. 2 Jorge Garcia Perez for the vacant strap.

Purse bids for that vacant championship bout are expected to go ahead in place of Fundora-Zayas, with any promoter free to stake their claim to the contest.

Sampson Boxing and Zayas’ promoters Top Rank had previously failed to agree terms for the WBO-ordered bout.

Tszyu vs Fundora I Full Fight Highlights | 08:48
Speaking immediately after ‘The Soul Taker’ beat Spencer via brutal stoppage in Tszycastle earlier this month, No Limit CEO George Rose confirmed to Fox Sports Australia that talks were already underway for a Las Vegas showdown with Fundora sometime during the US summer.

Rose added that it was through the Towering Inferno’s straps that Tszyu could then earn his way back into the US blockbusters he has always craved — including, most notably, Jermell Charlo.

Tszyu himself also revealed after the Spencer win that Fundora was the man he most wanted to fight next, despite suggestions he was already locked in for a showdown with American great Keith Thurman on the Gold Coast in July.

Tim breaks down brutal Spencer stoppage | 01:27
Tszyu also revealed in his post-fight press conference that the weight cut had been one of the toughest of his career, and suggested a move to middleweight could take place within the year.

As a result, a win over Fundora could mean Tszyu then has just one massive super welterweight defence – potentially against Charlo, or even Thurman – before then moving up into the middleweight division.

Regardless, the Fundora announcement represents a huge shot at redemption for the 30-year-old Sydneysider, who was thought to be angling for an Australian headliner against American great Thurman on the glitter strip in July.

Instead, ‘The Soul Taker’ will look to become a two-time world champion in the US.

Incredibly, the announcement comes only days after WBO officials announced a proposed bout between Fundora and No.1 contender, the undefeated Zayas, would be going to purse bid within days.

Making the announcement via social media, WBO President Gustavo Olivieri suggested a purse bid would occur next week, and be live-streamed, with Fundora to get 75 per cent of any winning bid, while Zayas would receive the remaining quarter.

Instead, Team Tszyu appear to have swept in and jagged a title shot for their man.

Speaking on Australia’s The Punch Podcast only recently, Fundora hinted that a rematch with Tszyu was in the works, while also disputing suggestions his team had initially opted out of an agreed rematch clause.

“Of course, of course,” Fundora said when asked about the possibility of a rematch.

“That’s a great fight.

“There’s a bunch of fights in this division that we are in the position to get, it’s just if the other side wants to take it as well.

“(But) I’m pretty sure the Australians would love it. I think it’s a great fight.”

Immediately following Fundora’s upset win over Tszyu, the question of a rematch clause was raised, however the champ stressed there was nothing, contractually, that demanded it.

“People talk too much and people talk a lot when they don’t know,” he said of suggestions a potential rematch clause had been broken.

“There was nothing in the contract for me.

“I never seen anything like that.

“You gotta ask the source yourself, either Tim or me, and we know what was going on.

“I would like that fight, though. I definitely like that fight.”

For Tszyu, the Fundora rematch represents his shot at re-entering the top echelon of world boxing following consecutive title losses to both Fundora and then IBF champ Bakhram Murtazaliev last October.