‘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'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Cam Mackenzie's future at Hawthorn in the spotlight after appearing to fall out of favour
Hawthorn young gun Cam Mackenzie's future at the club has been thrusted into the spotlight despite a series of impressive performances this year. Mackenzie appeared to have nailed down a spot in the Hawks' best team after a hot start to the season that included a career-high 30 disposals in the win over Greater Western Sydney in Round 3. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Mackenzie's future in the spotlight. He played the first seven matches of the season before a broken hand suffered at training ruled him out of the next two. The midfielder returned to face the Suns, but gathered just 13 disposals before he was subbed out the following week against Brisbane. He then spent three weeks in the VFL before earning a recall to the senior side and playing the past three matches. However, he was tactically subbed out of the match against Fremantle after gathering just eight possessions. 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary revealed Mackenzie's manager met with Hawthorn's list management team to discuss where the 21-year-old is at. 'He's been in and out of the side this year. We know in the last four games he's been subbed out twice in those games. In between, he spent three weeks in the VFL,' Cleary said on The Agenda Setters. 'It's my understanding this has prompted conversation between his management and the Hawthorn list management group in the last 24 hours, where all the parties are up on the Gold Coast at the under-16 national championships, just probing as to where this guy's at. 'He's not getting a regular game right now, and they've got Will Day, one of their star-studded mids, not in the side at the moment. So what does the future hold for Cam McKenzie?' Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes, who earlier this year said the talented midfielder could one day win a Brownlow, said rival clubs should absolutely try to poach him. 'I would absolutely be trying to inquire about this if I was another club. I think he's got genuine AFL attributes that would make him a 200, 250-game player,' Cornes said. 'I think he's got good sideways movement. He can break a tackle. He uses it pretty well. He's clean. 'So for whatever reason, he has fallen out of favour repeatedly this year in a midfield that needs a bit more depth. And as you said, Will Day's coming back, but they're not stacked with midfielders. 'If there's one area of their game that they're struggling, it is in the midfield. 'So I don't know. If I'm Essendon, dare I say it, if I'm Geelong, if I'm Collingwood to replenish their midfield with a bit of youth, I'd be absolutely inquiring about Cam McKenzie.' Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge said the club hold Mackenzie in high regard and it would take a lot to prise him away from the club. 'Him going back to playing Box Hill — It's about developing, about learning the game,' he said. 'So I still think Hawthorn have high hopes for him. They'll have to offer a lot to get him out of the Hawthorn colours.' Mackenzie has played 46 games since being drafted to the club with pick No.7 in 2022. He is contracted until the end of 2026.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Conor McGregor breaks silence after ‘nudes were posted' and cheating scandal emerged
Conor McGregor has wished himself a happy birthday as he turns 37 amidst several controversies. The former UFC champion took to social media to celebrate after he was spotted in Florida this week, The Sun reports. Posting on X, the MMA legend wrote: 'Happy birthday to me!' Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. It comes after what appears to be McGregor's nude photographs were allegedly leaked by Azealia Banks earlier today. She alleges the fighter sent her the photos on X unprompted – despite her not following him back. Azealia posted the two nude mirror selfies to her own X following. The rapper claims the messages were sexual harassment, but also said that she sent the boxer nude pictures as well in a sexting-back and-forth since 2016. One image posted by Azelia seemingly shows McGregor's manhood strapped to a dumbbell, captioned 'lifting weights'. She wrote: 'How you gonna send a b**** a some crooked d*** pics then threaten her not to tell. ''Like how are you really going to sexually harass me with the potato farmer d*** then threaten me not to tell????' In a later post, Azealia claimed she had sent McGregor naked pictures as well. In a follow-up post, Azealia wrote: 'No me and Conor McGregor have been sending each other unsolicited nudes since 2016. LOL.' Also this week, McGregor was caught kissing a mystery bikini-clad woman on holiday in Florida. Yesterday, The Sun reported that the former two-division UFC champion – who hasn't fought in nearly four years -cozied up with a dark-haired woman. He then laid down a towel for the woman and wrapped an arm around her shoulders in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. McGregor's fiancee Dee Devlin was not seen in the images, raising fresh questions about the couple's relationship. But Devlin expressed her continued support for her controversial partner in a birthday post showing the pair celebrating together. The couple began dating in 2008, became engaged in 2020 and have four children together. Last year the MMA star was found liable in a civil case that accused him of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room in December 2018. It was alleged that he had choked the claimant, leading to her fearing for her life. He disputes the charges, arguing that they had consensual sex. A second woman accused him of sexual assault following a 2023 incident at an NBA Finals game in Miami. He has faced no criminal charges for this second case.
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Richmond exploring proposal to play home games in Tasmania over next two years
Richmond are exploring the possibility of playing home games in Tasmania over the next two years in a new proposal. 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary exclusively revealed details of the potential move that is being orchestrated by the Tasmanian government. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Under the proposal, that is still in the early days, the Tigers would effectively replace North Melbourne as the team to play at Hobart's Ninja Stadium. The Kangaroos have enjoyed a 14-year association with Tasmania, but won't play any home games in the state after this year. The Tasmanian government want the Tigers to fill the void ahead of the Devils' likely entry into the AFL in 2028. Cleary said the proposal would likely involve Richmond's home games at Marvel Stadium, which generally don't draw big crowds. 'Richmond are still working through this prospect and will determine it over the next couple of months, but we know Richmond have got a couple of games each year at Marvel Stadium. Their fans just don't rock up. They averaged 21,000 over the last five games at Marvel Stadium,' Cleary said on The Agenda Setters. 'The proposal has the Tigers moving a game or two down to Hobart to fill the void before the Devils come in because we know Hawthorn will play four games a season in Launceston for the foreseeable future, but when the North Melbourne Footy Club move their two games to Marvel from next year and get out of Tassie completely, there will be a void, a big hole down in Hobart, and the Tasmanian State Government want Richmond to fill that void. 'We know Richmond have had a strong history down in the Apple Isle. You think Ian Stewart, Royce Hart, Matthew Richardson, Michael Roach, some of the legends of the Richmond Footy Club from the Apple Isle. 'The two biggest games ever attended down in Tassie, both include Richmond. They've got history down there, and this is something the Tigers will work through in the next couple of years.' Cleary added that the money, which could be in the millions, will help fund the club's redevelopment of Punt Road Oval. 'This is not a cash-strapped club by any stretch. They'll find a way, but an extra $1 million or $2 million for your club to work through something like this will help,' he continued. 'And we know the Tassie government want to spend up big because they want content down in Tassie before the Devils arrive. They can't have a gaping hole in the Hobart side of things for the next two years.' AFL great Luke Hodge said it made sense for the Tigers to take up the offer given they are in a rebuilding stage. 'If you're making that decision ... they're not going to play finals over the next three or four years with all the young list and the turnout they've had, so why wouldn't you take them down there? Make some money before Tassie get a team,' he said. Daily Thomas also agreed, especially if it's just taking away a game that would normally be played at Marvel Stadium. 'I think it makes sense, if it's just the Marvel swap, it probably makes more sense. They don't like it (Marvel Stadium). Dimma (former coach Damian Hardwick) said he hated it, and the fans agreed,' he said.
