‘Not emotionally damaged’: Tszyu speaks on bloody title revenge, makes major Pacquiao call

Australia’s Tim Tszyu insists he carries no “emotional damage” from last year’s unforgettable Las Vegas bloodbath with Sebastian Fundora – and has already cleared space in his cupboard for the towering American’s WBC super welterweight title.

Attending Wednesday night’s Main Event pay-per-view topped by No Limit stablemates Sam Goodman and Harry Garside, Tszyu opened up for the first time on his impending world title rematch with Fundora, which is expected to take place at the MGM Grand on Sunday, July 20.

Apart from thanking Fundora for taking the Las Vegas blockbuster, Tszyu also talked of what he learned from the heartbreaking loss, and why he was equipped to “avenge” it, while also branding the opportunity to fight on the same card as Manny Pacquiao – who is expected to headline – as “surreal”.

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The Soul Taker also had a simple message for brash American legend Keith Thurman, who he was initially expected to fight on the Gold Coast in July. “Stay in the loop,” the 30-year-old said in his message to One Time. “Because there could be a superfight with belts on the line”.

Back in March last year, Tszyu dropped a bloody split decision against Fundora after suffering a severe head cut late in the second round, which then required him fighting blinded by claret for some 30 minutes.

Yet now a year on, Tszyu says he is ready to “avenge” the loss, while adding that, given all the circumstances surrounding the first bloodbath, both fighters had unfinished business.

Asked why he thought Fundora opted for him, instead of taking his WBO mandatory against Xander Zayas, Tszyu replied of the American and his team: “They’re respectful.

“They also understand it was a split decision.

“It was real tight.

“So for him (Fundora), there were a lot of questions as well.

“There was no clear answer.

“So there is a lot for us to prove.”

While the Fundora bloodbath was followed, within six months, by a brutal KO loss against undefeated IBF champ Bakhram Murtazaliev, Tszyu insists he carries no mental baggage from either fight.

“I’m not emotionally damaged at all,” he stressed.

“I’m learning from all the mistakes, all the things that went wrong.

“Everything is very analytical now.

“And I do have very good memories from the Fundora fight.

“(Laughs) And not just the blood splattering.

“I remember being able to see his shots, having some sort of control.”

Tszyu stressed however that the first fight also has him in doubt regarding the challenge that is “the tallest world champion in the world to date”.

“Fundora is a tough fight for anyone,” the Aussie continued.

“With his God given abilities, being that tall, it’s never an easy fight.

“You have to make it a dogfight in there.

“He controls the range well with those God given abilities.

“He’s got these awkward shots inside.

“Even though he is tall, he’s good inside.

“And he’s got ticker.

“Is always in it.

“Even though I broke his nose, he still had it in him.

“When you have a fighter like that, it’s a tremendous task.”

Tszyu even joked that he may bring heavyweights into camp for sparring this time around, so tough was it to find fighters tall enough to help prepare for the Fundora challenge.

And as for his thoughts on the champ’s sole title defence recently, taking just four rounds to finish fellow American Chordale Booker?

“I didn’t really watch it,” Tszyu said.

“But he did well, right?

“It was more of a tune up fight. Keep him fighting and he got the job done.”

Tszyu added that rather than a new fight, the July rematch would instead be a continuation of their first encounter, saying: “This isn’t round one, it’s round 13 as soon as we start”.

Soon after, he added of Fundora: “I’ve got nothing but respect for this bloke.

“He’s taken the fight and we’re going to make one hell of a spectacle.

Quizzed on potentially adding Fundora’s iconic WBC strap to his collection, Tszyu admitted he had already made space for it at home – and was using the space on his mantle as a daily inspiration.

“I’ve already got one belt there, the WBO belt,” he said.

“But on the left hand side I’ve made a spot specifically for the WBC belt.

“I’ve left space there and I’m visualising that green belt being there.”

Tszyu also remained polite when asked about again coming up against Fundora’s famed manager Sampson Lewkowicz, who he branded a “weasel” during what was a chaotic build to their first fight for both WBO and WBC gold.

“Thanks for taking the fight,” Tszyu said simply. “I’m looking forward to getting the job done.”

And as for fighting on a Pacquiao card?

“To be fighting on a Manny Pacquiao card, it would be a blessing,” he continued.

“Unreal.

“(Years ago) I trained with him for two weeks in Manilla.

“It was a crazy experience.

“So to now fight on his undercard would be awesome.”

Tszyu revealed he asked promoters No Limit to make the fight immediately after stopping US prospect Joey Spencer in April.

“As soon as my last fight finished, I said ‘let’s make Fundora happen, I’m ready … I want to avenge that’,” Tszyu revealed.

“So we pushed for it.”

“And kudos to them.

“They had the Xander Zayas fight there so I’m very lucky it went down this way and I have a second chance for a world title.

“It’s going to be hectic, man.

“There are a lot of questions going to be answered.

“I’m feeling good.

“That was a big chapter of my life and something I really want to get back.”