Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora, pulled off the biggest of the year by defeating Tim Tszyu by split decision to capture the WBC and WBO junior middleweight championship Saturday night in at the T-Mobile arena.
Two judges had it scored for Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs), 26 at 116-112 and 115-113. The lone judge that scored the fight for Tszyu scored the fight at 116-112. Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs), 29 winning the 12th round would have scored the fight a draw. Even more impressive Fundora took the fight on 11 days’ notice. Keith Thurman ruptured his biceps and had to withdrawal from the fight.
The fight took a turn late in the second round, when Tszyu was cut in his head by an accidental elbow. You could see a lot of blood flow down Tszyu face in one of the bloodiest fights in recent memory. During the post fight interview, Tszyu said “I’m an old, throwback fighter, I couldn’t see, but all credit goes to the man who won tonight. These things happen. The momentum was rolling, swinging hard in the first two rounds, and then boom, you’re blinded completely.
By holding a belt at the same time that his sister Gabriela Fundora, they would become the first brother and sister ever to hold boxing world titles at the same time. I think it’s safe to say that the Fundora’s are tough.
Fundora used his jab and fought very disciplined in order to keep Tszyu in front of him. The plan worked, but Fundora did face adversity. His nose bled from the opening round onward, his mouth was pouring blood as well.” I didn’t want to break my nose today, but, this is boxing, you’re going to get hurt and you just have to be smart,” said Fundora,
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