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Sebastian Fundora has opened up for the first time on his growing rivalry with Tim Tszyu, and admits to feeling disrespected by the constant suggestion he only won the WBC world title due to the Australian being blinded by blood.
The revelation came after the towering American champ also appeared to take another subtle dig at Tszyu during Wednesday’s open workouts inside a heaving MGM Grand, walking out to ACDC’s classic track, Shoot to Thrill.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia at the same event however, No Limit CEO George Rose stressed Fundora is making a “big mistake” with his continued shots at The Soul Taker – which have included branding the challenger a liar, while also suggesting he suffered PTSD after their first fight.
Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
“Tim Tszyu’s got PTSD?” Rose fired.
“The only thing Tim has now are two clear eyes and a belt to get back.
“Sebastian Fundora is making a big mistake with his claims.
“Let’s actually call that first fight for what it was.
“And what everyone saw.
“It wasn’t Fundora beating up Tim Tszyu.
“That cut changed the whole fight.
“If the cut doesn’t happen, Fundora is getting chopped down.”
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Soon after, the promoter added: “After copping that elbow, Tim couldn’t see a thing.
“There was blood pouring into his eyes, he was fighting blind — and still, he nearly won.
“It’s actually scary to think what he’s going to do this weekend.”
Addressing his growing feud with Tszyu for the first time on Wednesday, Fundora admitted feeling disrespected by claims he only won their now famed 2024 bloodbath due to that cut.
However, the champ also stressed Tszyu was free to say whatever he likes about him, which this week has included branding the Californian a “bulls****er” whose remote family lifestyle in the mountains gives off “cult vibes”.
Asked by Fox Sports Australia about his ongoing suggestion that Tszyu wasn’t blinded by blood, as he has claimed, Fundora said: “Just like you’re looking at me now, I saw him focused on me.
“I didn’t see (blood) falling directly in his eyes.
“Maybe on the eyelash, the eyebrow, falling down.”
But Fundora also then appeared to suggest he was not calling Tszyu a liar, continuing: “I can only speak from my point of view.
“If Tim says he couldn’t see, then he couldn’t see.
“I believe him.”
Asked if he felt disrespected by the narrative that it was the cut that decided the fight, not Fundora’s hands, he continued: “I still got the win.
“Still went home with two titles.
“It maybe bothered me a little bit.
“But we’re doing it now a second time, so if there’s something to prove here – and I’m not trying to prove anything – it will be Saturday.”
Fronting the open workouts in a black t-shirt reading “It’s time for silence and violence”, the champ did a brief ring workout with his father and trainer Freddy, who declined an interview request afterwards.
But the champ?
He said he was ready to bring that shirt motto to life.
“Although I am talking a little bit now,” he cackled, “for the interviews of course.
“But this (saying) is my style.
“Most of the time, I don’t talk too much in interviews.
“Usually one-word answers.
“And then when we get into the ring, it’s a bloody mess.
“So this is probably the most I’ll be talking this week.
“And you guys are from across the world, so I have to talk for you guys.”
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So as for the ACDC walkout?
“I love rock,” Fundora continued, grinning. “I think they (event organisers) picked it for me.”
So you didn’t know it’s an Australian band?
“I wasn’t thinking of that,” he insisted. “But when I think of rock, I think of war.
“It gets the blood pumping.
“What turns me on in the ring is rock music.”
Fundora also stressed Tszyu never broke his nose in the opening rounds of fight one, despite reports to the contrary.
“No one broke my nose,” he said.
“I blew my nose during the fight and it swelled up a little bit.
“But a week later we were fine.
“Breathing all the air.”
Despite appearing to take a dig at Tszyu’s team a few weeks back, the champ was not biting this time around when asked if said corner should’ve stopped the fight last year.
“I cannot speak for his corner,” Fundora said. “Tim has been training with them, I’m pretty sure, his whole career.
“So he trusts his team.
“Trusts them well enough to go in the ring and take care of him during the fight.”
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Asked his thoughts on the pair’s increasing exchanges, he said Tszyu “can say whatever he wants”.
“That’s opinions,” he stressed.
“In this country – and I’m pretty sure in Australia as well – you have the freedom of speech, can say whatever you want.”
So as for any bad blood?
“Not on my side,” Fundora continued.
“I like Tim.
“He’s a great fighter, a great champion.
“Every time I’ve seen him he’s put on a great fight, so what is there to hate?”
Elsewhere, Fundora also stressed Tszyu would not be forced out of the sport, or even the division, with a loss.
“I don’t think so,” he said.
“When Tim went down a level to fight Joey Spencer, how fast did that fight end?
“Pretty fast.
“He’s world class and deserves to be on this stage.
“Losing again won’t damage his career too much.”
Gallen edges SBW in gritty grudge match | 01:50
Fundora also took time to praise younger sister Gabriela, who is now the women’s undisputed flyweight champion.
“And youngest undisputed champion ever in the four-belt era,” he said.
“So she’s doing her thing, getting these girls out.
“She’s one of a kind.
“I watch her do her thing and that motivates me to do my thing as well.”
Told little sister had also one upped him, getting four belts after he went and won two, the champ laughed: “You know I had the lead for a little bit, didn’t I?
“But you know what, that’s great.
“Her wins are my wins.
“We feed off each other because that’s how you grow.”