Australia’s Tim Tszyu has been told he will need to fight at least once before securing a world title rematch with Sebastian Fundora – who is now being steered towards Errol Spence Jnr — despite personally gifting the towering American his own WBO world title belt.
In a chaotic aftermath to Sunday’s bloody world title loss, Fundora’s manager Sampson Lewkowicz warned his client will not be heading Down Under for any rematch — and that Tszyu must also now earn his way back into the challenger’s spot with at least one win.
It comes after Errol Spence Jnr entered the ring post fight and offered to fight Fundora next, with Lewkowicz saying afterwards: “I believe the promoter needs to maximize the interest of the fighter … first we need to take care of business”.
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While it was suggested this week a rematch had already been struck for Tszyu, in a loss, to get a second shot in Australia, the agent said Tszyu would have to “wait one fight at least” before adding “we’ll definitely do it in America”.
All of which prompted an angry response from No Limit CEO George Rose, who stressed Team Fundora know a rematch clause is in place, has a timeline and can be enacted on as soon as Tszyu wants it.
“So good luck trying to get out of it,” Rose said.
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While the two camps may be at war over exactly what happens next however, Tszyu showed incredible respect for Fundora after their bloody Las Vegas war by urging the new champ to keep his WBO belt.
After the chaotic championship bout had concluded – and Fundora declared the winner by split decision– officials handed him both the vacant WBC strap and Tszyu’s WBO gold.
Yet when the American attempted to return the Sydneysider’s belt backstage afterwards – given he will soon get his own — Tszyu was reluctant to take it and instead suggested to ‘The Towering Inferno’ it was now his.
“That’s your belt, brother,” Tszyu said.
“Congratulations on the victory, man. You’re a true warrior.
You’re a tall motherf***er, f***ing hell. All yours, man. Victory is hard earned.”
The rematch controversy, however, is something else entirely.
Although not unsurprising given Lewkowicz – who Tszyu both branded a “weasel” and then confronted in person during fight week — had warned as much to Fox Sports Australia.
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon after the open workouts, the agent famed for discovering Manny Pacquiao told us he would no longer be taking any rematch Down Under – then hinted it may also require a fight to get there – given Team Tszyu’s “disrespect” for his fighter by continually talking up a potential showdown with Terence Crawford.
Asked about Lewkowicz’s statement post fight, Rose said however: “He knows there is a rematch clause there.
“And if we want to take it, we’ll take it.
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“I’d love to see Tim take that and win them belts straight back.
“I’m happy for a rematch to happen next and good luck trying to get out of it.”
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Rose added there was also a timeline for said clause, adding: “We’ll have a look over the next few days as to when we’ll activate it.
“Or whether any of these other big fish want to jump up and swim with Tim.
“If another opportunity comes up, we’d look at it.
“But we’ve got a short time space to make that decision.”
Asked to confirm that if Team Tszyu want an immediate rematch it has to happen, Rose said that was correct.
“That will be the plan, yep,” he said.
And as for Team Fundora stating they won’t travel Down Under?
“That’s up in the air,” he said.
“We’ve been able to put on great shows in Australia.
“And the opportunity to fight here in Las Vegas, we were really excited about that and would love to come back here again.
“But we’re open to wherever it lands.”
Asked if he had any regrets agreeing to his fighter taking on size a massive challenge with only 12 days notice, Rose added: “Not at all.
“You saw what I saw for them first two rounds.
“That was Tim Tszyu’s fight.
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“If he wasn’t blinded by the blood it definitely ends early in Tim Tszyu’s favour.
“I’m so proud of him.
“He talks about being a warrior, about how hard he wants to push himself and he showed that out there.
“I’ve got nothing but respect for him and his team.
“He was so prepared for that fight.
“But a freak accident happens, with a waterfall of blood pouring into his eyes for 10 rounds and he still didn’t hesitate getting up out of his corner every round to go to war with a bloke who had the odds stacked in his favour.”
Rose also said he was not offended with Spence being allowed enter the ring post fight and talk up the idea of a match with Fundora, despite a clause being in place.
“No, not at all,” Rose said
“Errol Spence is a guy people want to fight at this weight.
“So if he wants to come to 154, have your conversations with Tim Tszyu, have your conversations with Sebastian Fundora because that’s a fight that everyone would be interested in.
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“And it’s a fight we wouldn’t be walking away from.”
Yet now it seems Team Fundora will chase that offer.
And it follows the warning Lewkowicz made to Fox Sports Australia way back at Wednesday’s open workouts, when he said: “I respect Tszyu for taking this fight … but what I dislike is his management overlooking Fundora.
“They have no respect for my fighter – talk like he doesn’t even deserve to be in the same ring — and that’s something I dislike very much.
“And maybe they will pay the price.
“You can quote me on that.
“Because this isn’t the way you do business.
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“You concentrate on this fight, not the future.
“Maybe it’s what happens in Australia, I don’t know.
“But I was hurt.”
Soon after the agent continued: “I respect Tszyu and I’m trying to respect the management and promoter.
“But it’s uncalled for, what they did.
“And that can bring problems in the future when it comes to negotiating with us to go to Australia
“There is a rematch clause but this doesn’t bring a good feeling.”
At one point, Lewkowicz even suggested Tszyu may not even be granted a rematch immediately.
“Maybe he will have to go get another fight,” he said.
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