By: Sean Crose
First things first – Sebastian Fundora looked fantastic in last weekend’s victory over undefeated middleweight titlist Tim Tszyu. He was beaten and bloodied, but the Californian came out on top, earning himself not one but two divisional championship belts. However, it is difficult to deny that an accidental cut to Tsyu’s head changed the course of the entire war. “That match was completely uncompetitive in the first two rounds,” said former world player Paulie Malignaggi. Source water podcast, “and I don’t want to hear that Fundora came up with an adjusted game plan and he adjusted. He didn’t make any adjustments.”
Sure enough, as brave as Fundora was, he was simply outclassed by Tszyu until the cut literally made it impossible for Tszyu to see clearly. After that, it was all Fundora’s fault that Tszyu was partially blind and unable to successfully approach him as was the case before. In other words, it’s hard not to wonder whether Tszyu would have won without that unfortunate injury. “Every round you’re forced to fight through an injury like that,” Malignaggi said, “you’re probably going to lose those rounds.”
Malignaggi then went on to point out that Tszyu’s courage caused him to ruin his career. “He will be confused because he is so dangerous, because he can beat Fundora easily,” Malignaggi said. “Instead, now he’s going home, he’s going to be phased out, they’re going to transfer the title to Spence and PBC is going to keep it.” Sure enough, the fiery New Yorker made it clear that Tszyu, who fought the extremely tall Fundora on short notice (after his original opponent, Keith Thurman, left the fight due to injury) deserved deserves a second shot with Fundora . “Tszyu deserves a rematch,” Malignaggi said, “and he doesn’t deserve to be disqualified now for doing the right thing.”
It’s hard to disagree with Malignaggi’s reasoning. With that said, Tszyu was graceful in defeat (not that he doesn’t want a rematch). “Congratulations @SebastianFundo1”, the Australian declared on social networks. “The victory was deserved. Never back down from any challenge and strive to inspire the next generation to fight through any adversity that presents itself. I will be back. For ALL belts. The goal remains the same. Only warriors.”
