Latest news with #superwelterweight
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Huge hint Tim Tszyu's boxing career is over after Aussie quits on stool against Sebastian Fundora
Tim Tszyu has been released from the hospital, but his boxing future is in serious doubt after a second brutal beat down by Sebastian Fundora. Australia's former WBO super-welterweight champion was badly outclassed on Sunday before quitting on the stool at the end of the seventh round. Tszyu was dropped in round 1, and things only got uglier from there, with the loss leaving the Aussie to ponder if continuing in the brutal sport is worth it anymore. 'I tried to give it everything, but I just couldn't do it,' Tszyu said after the fight. The Tszyu camp went to great lengths after the fight to dismiss the Aussie gave up on himself, stating it was a joint decision to throw in the towel. And while Tszyu stopped short of saying he quit after yet another defeat, his words, 'I just couldn't do it', said it all. As did the blank stare and distressed state he was in back in the dressing room after the fight, as the heavy burden of trying to carry on the Tszyu legacy appears to finally be taking its toll. The 30-year-old had been attempting to emulate his Hall of Fame dad Kostya as only the third father-son duo in boxing history to both win multiple world titles. But that dream appears now dead in the water. And Tszyu's promoter, former rugby league hard man George Rose, hinted in a statement on Sunday night that Tszyu may walk away from the sport. 'It's just a decision up to him as to what he's going to do, whether he gets back in the gym on Monday, whether he has a break, what he does,' Rose said in a statement. 'In this sport, a loss is a long time that you've got to deal with that for. 'It's not a one-week thing like most team sports, where you can move on within a week. 'A lot's got to happen on the back of it. Firstly, you've got to go medically. 'Then you've got to look at where the hunger's at, and Tim's one person you never can question his hunger or desire or the amount of application he puts in with his efforts in this sport. He rips in. 'He just fought for a world title at the MGM Grand, so while that's a really cool thing, taking a loss is a tough thing. 'I know Tim's still very talented, very capable, but it comes down to him. He's the guy who's got to put his life on the line in the ring. 'So the decision is on him, and I support him with whatever he chooses 100 per cent.' Tszyu has now lost three of his past four fights. He has been outclassed twice by Fundora and was also walloped in his title fight against Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev at the end of 2024. Whether Tszyu wishes to rebuild his career is unknown at this stage, but if he does, his road to the top is now a long one. Had Tszyu won on Sunday, his promoter No Limit was targeting a fight with a US superstar – either Keith Thurman, Jermell Charlo or Errol Spence Jr. But after a third loss in four fights, any Tszyu rebuild would now likely start back Down Under, potentially fighting Michael Zerafa – a man long seen as inferior to Tszyu. Currently, Zerafa is slated to fight on Tim's brother Nikita's August comeback card and then, should the pair both win, square off with 'The Butcher' at the end of the year. However, if Tszyu does wish to try and make a run to the top again, a fight against Zerafa – a man he was scheduled to fight back in 2021 – appears a logical place to start.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
How to watch Sebastian Fundora vs Tim Tszyu II, Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios
Tim Tszyu will look to become a two-time world champion when he takes on Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas on Sunday (AEDT). Tszyu will be fighting for Fundora's WBC super welterweight title. WBC super welterweight champion Age: 27 Record: 22-1-1 (14 KOs) Height: 198cm Reach: 203cm Weight: 69.22kg Age: 30 Record: 25-2 (18 KOs) Height: 175cm Reach: 179cm Weight: 69.49kg The Australian had previously held the WBO super welterweight title, which he lost to Fundora by split decision in March last year at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. A horror gash in his forehead, opened by a stray elbow from the man known as the Towering Inferno due to his incredible 197cm height, cost Tszyu dearly. He then suffered a shocking battering at the hands of Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orlando last October when looking to immediately bounce back and win the IBF super welterweight crown. That fight ended inside three rounds, Tszyu a shadow of the fighter who had worked his way so painstakingly up to world title challenge in the first place. He recaptured some of his old aura with a fourth-round TKO win against Joey Spencer in Newcastle in April, but is now throwing himself straight back in against the man who delivered him such a horrendous setback. A giant southpaw (left-hander) from Florida, the 27-year-old has a professional record of 22-1-1 and is the current WBC super welterweight champion. The American took on Tszyu in March 2024 on just 11 days' notice after Tszyu's original opponent, Keith Thurman, pulled out with a late injury. Fundora made the most of his late call-up, becoming the unified WBO and WBC super welterweight champion by split decision. The win, in no small way, came after Tszyu caused a huge gash to open up on Tszyu's head after a clash with Fundora's elbow in the second round. The resulting, blood-soaked bout showed off Tszyu's heart, but cost him his belt. Fundora defended the unified championship against Chordale Booker, whom he beat by fourth-round stoppage in March. However, he was then stripped of the WBO title he won from Tszyu for refusing to face mandatory challenger Xander Zayas next. Instead, he opted to take on Tszyu again in a rematch. The only blemishes on his record are a split decision draw against Jamontay Clark in 2019, before he received his first defeat against Brian Mendoza in a seventh-round KO in California in 2023. Mendoza then went on to lose to Tszyu on the Gold Coast later that year by unanimous decision. When Tszyu was unceremoniously dispatched by Murtazaliev, it was easy to fear the worst. The Soul Taker looked as though his own soul had been ripped from him as the clinical Russian comprehensively battered him to the canvas no fewer than four times. His whole world had been flipped upside down. Is this fight too soon for Tszyu? The mental scars from the devastating, sickening cut were in evidence against Murtazaliev, but were nowhere to be seen against Spencer back on home soil earlier this year. The enormous reach advantage Fundora enjoys, some 24cm, is enough to allow the giant American to simply use his jab and stay out of range. He will be the one to dictate, something that so often fits into Tszyu's game plan. However, training with another towering American, 190cm Mykal Fox, has given Tszyu new ammunition with which to throw. "This next fight with Sebastian Fundora, it will be a different fight to the first one," Tszyu told Fox Sports this week. "I can't wait to get in the ring so I can punish [him], I've got a lot to prove. "I wouldn't say there's bad blood, but I wanna take his head off. "It's going to be a firefight, and I love firefights. They suit me." That's right, Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2) is stepping back into the ring after a four-year absence. He is stepping straight back into the deep end, too, meeting WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (29-2-1). His last fight was a unanimous points defeat to Yordenis Ugás in 2021. British trainer Dave Coldwell engaged in a solid exchange on social media with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman. Coldwell said the move to sanction the fight was "disgraceful" and that Pacquiao, who has not won a fight since 2019, had jumped the queue for a world title shot. Sulaiman, for his part, hit back, saying that Pacquiao had passed all medical checks and the WBC, as per its regulations, as a "Champion Emeritus" was able to request an immediate title shot. Pacquiao has never won the WBC strap at welterweight, but has held that version of the flyweight, super featherweight, lightweight, and super welterweight titles. He has been the WBO welterweight champion on three separate occasions, though, and has also held the WBA (Super) welterweight title. The undercard gets underway at 7am AEST, but the main card will start at 10am (AEST) on Sunday. Tszyu vs Fundora II is the penultimate fight on the main card, so it will likely take place close to 12pm (AEST), but that is subject to significant change based on the duration of the previous contests. If you want to watch it, you'll have to tune into Main Event, the Fox Sports pay-per-view channel. You can access it via Kayo Sport, too, but it will cost you. The event is being sold at $69.95. Of course, you can follow the entire event on the ABC Sport live blog, which will get underway just before 10am on Sunday. Here's how the full fight card stands up.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
York boxer Granger itching for more after professional debut victory
YORK boxer Joel Granger is keen to 'have as many fights as possible as soon as possible' having won his debut professional match in a super welterweight contest against veteran Newark fighter Connor Meanwell. The bout took place on an open-air show at Wakefield's DIY Kitchens Stadium organised by Manchester-based promoter Steve Wood's VIP Promotions. "I surprised myself with how calm I was in the ring, settled even, despite the heat, over 30 degrees," explained Granger, 22. "I knocked him down with a first round headshot, but he got through the standing eight count. "That said he wasn't a pushover. I kept the pressure up. He knew I meant business." Hailing originally from Acomb and a former student of Millthorpe School, Granger is both managed and coached by Wayne Woods at his east Leeds gym. "Joel's been with us less than a year," said Woods. "He's applied himself and is determined to make a success of it. "This was the right time for Joel to join the pro ranks as he's matured enough to discipline himself to give the full commitment which makes this sport demanding." "I've been around boxing all my life," added Granger. "Our family's heavily involved in the amateur sport. "I'm grateful to Wayne who's provided me with a superb opportunity. I plan to make the most of it. Joel Granger poses with his team after celebrating a first professional victory. (Image: VIP Boxing Promotions) "I've got three generous sponsors making it possible for me to concentrate on my boxing full time. "Ticket sales haven't been a problem because I know lots of people and I'm a warm, chatty person who's keen to get on with everyone." Granger admires boxers Terence Crawford and 'Boots' Ennis: "Mainly because they've achieved what I want to achieve. I'm keen to be out there again soon, certainly a couple more times this year." Any other individuals or companies interested in joining Granger's sponsorship team should contact his manager Wayne Woods on Instagram @waynewoods86 or e-mail woodswayne8@
The Sun
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Who is Will Crolla and what is his relation to boxing legend Anthony?
WILL CROLLA has emerged as one of Britain's top boxing talents - and he is destined for greatness like his family member, Anthony. Crolla has knocked out around 75% of his opponents since making his professional debut in 2023. 2 And the heavy-hitter is hoping to put a title around his waist as he eyes clashes with some of the big boys in the sport. But before then, SunSport takes a deep dive into his background and what his relation is with boxing superstar Anthony Crolla. Who is Will Crolla? Born and currently residing in Manchester, England, William Crolla - commonly known as Will - is a British boxer destined for greatness. The 26-year-old is in the super welterweight division and fights with a Southpaw stance. And at the time of typing this, William currently boasts a record of eight wins out of eight, six of them being knockouts. Crolla made his professional debut in May 2023, where he was dropped before scoring a points victory against Joe Hardy. He then earned a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing in July 2024. Since then, he has been in tremendous form and picked up his fifth straight knockout with a brilliant first-round stoppage on the undercard of Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis in October 2024. What is Will Crolla's relation to Anthony? Will Crolla is the younger brother of former world champion Anthony Crolla. He also works under the guidance of Anthony, hence why Will has barely put a foot wrong since making his debut. And ironically, Anthony started his career with eight straight victories before losing his unbeaten run on April 5, 2008 to Syrian Youssef Al Hamidi. However, that didn't stop Anthony as the Orthodox boxer eventually stepped up a weight division before beating John Watson to claim the vacant British lightweight title in 2011. Anthony held onto the belt until 2012, where he would lose it to Derry Matthews. But Will's big brother claimed the WBO Inter-Continental title a little over a year later after upsetting the former WBA lightweight champion Gavin Rees with a majority decision triumph. He was also the WBA lightweight champion from 2015 to 2016, but Anthony Crolla hung up his gloves for good following his 2019 win against Frank Urquiaga. 2 Crolla confidence Will Crolla believes he can make it to the very top in boxing. Speaking to Matt Elliot from fightpost, Crolla said: 'I believe I can go all the way, otherwise, I wouldn't be in boxing, I would go out and get a proper job rather than get punched in the head for a living.' "Eddie paid me a huge compliment the other week as well when he said even if I wasn't Ant's brother, they would've signed me, and that makes the hard work worthwhile. Initially, we are looking at a ten-fight arrangement, I believe, over a two-year period, which is good as it keeps me busy and active, and by the end of it, I want to be pushing for titles.' And Elliot also asked him if his family name brings added pressure. Crolla said: 'Maybe for some people, who think it's a negative, but I relish the pressure of it, I enjoy it, and let's be honest my second name has got me opportunities I probably wouldn't have got without it, so it's been a blessing. "I believe it brings the best out in me, and you do get a lot of people jumping on the bandwagon and saying he's only getting a deal because he's Ant's brother, well the truth is, it may have opened doors but if I was s**t, I wouldn't be getting signed regardless of who my brother is, I am getting a deal because of what I've shown so far; I am there on my own merits.'
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Jaron ‘Boots' Ennis makes major career move and gives up world titles
Jaron 'Boots' Ennis has announced he is moving up to super-welterweight, vacating the IBF and WBA welterweight titles in the process. The unbeaten American, 27, has been one of the standouts at welterweight in recent years, especially with Terence Crawford leaving the division after becoming undisputed in July 2023, and Errol Spence Jr not having boxed since losing to Crawford that month. Ennis long eyed a bout with Crawford, but the latter's sole bout since beating Spence Jr took place at super-welterweight, where he collected the WBA title with a win over Israil Madrimov last August. And now, Crawford is preparing for a super-middleweight megafight with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, the undisputed champion. With Ennis's biggest welterweight fight having eluded him, he is set to emulate Crawford, 37, in moving up in weight. Or is he chasing the pound-for-pound star? While Crawford is due to face Canelo at 167lb in September, it is possible that the American could return to 154lb thereafter. His bout with Madrimov saw him compete at a career-highest weight – which he will of course exceed against Canelo – as he stayed unbeaten and became a four-weight champion. 'ITS TIME! 154,' Ennis wrote on Instagram on Wednesday (18 June). 'YALL SAID THIS WHERE THE SMOKE AT RIGHT!? 'LETS HAVE IT THEN! 2X WEIGHT DIVISION CHAMP • 4X TIME WORLD CHAMP LOADING.' Crawford still holds the WBA super-welterweight title, while Sebastian Fundora holds the WBC and WBO belts, and Bakhram Murtazaliev is IBF champion. Last time out, Ennis dropped and stopped Eimantas Stanionis in the sixth round in April, retaining the IBF welterweight strap and collecting the WBA version.
