Tim Tszyu vs Sebastian Fundora, tension between camps escalates over Terence Crawford talk

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Sebastian Fundora’s team say they are no longer guaranteeing Tim Tszyu a world title rematch in Australia if he loses this weekend following continued “disrespect” from the world champion’s camp.

Speaking with Fox Sports AustraliaFundora’s agent Sampson Lewkowicz suggested they may request Tszyu, in defeat, take another fight to earn himself a second shot at ‘The Towering Inferno’.

Lewkowicz stressed the move had nothing to do with Tszyu himself, even though Australia’s undefeated poster boy branded him “a weasel” only days earlier.

BOXING: Don’t miss Tim Tszyu in a unified World Title fight this Sunday against 6-foot 6 Towering Inferno Sebastian Fundora. Plus catch fellow Aussie Michael Zerafa taking on Erislandy Lara for his shot to become the Middle Weight World Champion LIVE from Las Vegas | SUN 31 MAR 11AM AEDT | Exclusive to Main Event, order on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription needed.

Instead, the manager took aim at both Team Tszyu and promoter No Limit for “disrespecting my fighter” by continuously talking up a proposed Terence Crawford blockbuster.

In response however, No Limit CEO George Rose shrugged off the accusations, stressing: “When somebody like Terence Crawford puts our name in their mouth, we have to respond”.

And as for Lewkowicz’s rematch threats, and exactly what is a possibility?

“Do you mean Fundora winning?” Rose grinned. “No it’s not a possibility.

“I haven’t even considered that.

“So whatever it says on the paper, I apologize, because we’re not even thinking about that.

“The only thing we’re thinking about is Tim winning, and that’s all we know happens.

“So there’s no disrespect towards anyone including Sampson, I love Sampson.”

On the same day fight week officially kicked off here in Las Vegas – with both the Grand Arrivals and then open workouts – the growing tension between the two camps boiled over.

The drama initially started back on Tuesday when Tszyu, prior to a training session, was quizzed about an article involving contract clauses surrounding an Australian rematch – and that Fundora would KO the champ in both.

At which point ‘The Soul Taker’ quickly replied saying the yarn was likely being driven not by Fundora himself but his “weasel” manager.

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Still speaking with Fox Sports Australia during the open workouts, Lewkowicz stressed he had not even heard about that remark and was instead upset with the ongoing talk about Crawford.

“I respect Tszyu for taking this fight with everything against him,” said the man credited for having discovered Manny Pacquiao.

“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.

“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.

BOXING: Don’t miss Tim Tszyu in a unified World Title fight this Sunday against 6-foot 6 Towering Inferno Sebastian Fundora. Plus catch fellow Aussie Michael Zerafa taking on Erislandy Lara for his shot to become the Middle Weight World Champion LIVE from Las Vegas | SUN 31 MAR 11AM AEDT | Exclusive to Main Event, order on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription needed.

“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.

Asked about accusations of overlooking Fundora for a potential Crawford fight, Rose said that it was the world No.1 who had spoken up first.

Tszyu also had a simple response when asked about overlooking his rival in Sunday’s blockbuster showdown for the WBO and WBC straps.

“Look, I’ve never mentioned Terence Crawford,” he said. “My sole focus is Fundora … that’s my answer.”

Rose, meanwhile, suggested that rather than calling Crawford out, Team Tszyu had simply been responding after the US welterweight king announced his desire to move up and become WBO mandatory.

Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings also revealed this week that he and No Limit had been in discussions with Team Crawford for months, given the Americans had initially chased a December fight.

“Crawford wants Tim Tszyu, that’s who he has been talking about,” Rose said.

“And when somebody like that puts our name in their mouth, we have to respond.

“Remember that Tim Tszyu is a Las Vegas headliner now so obviously people are going to talk about fighting him.

“And when it’s the pound-for-pound No.1 who is talking, of course we’re going to address that.”

Fundora, meanwhile, stressed he had no problem with Tszyu, or anyone in his team, talking up a future showdown with Crawford.

“I couldn’t care less,” he said.

“I’m not fighting Terence Crawford right now, I’m fighting Tim Tszyu.

“I’m thinking about this fight.

“Whatever they talk about outside the ring, they can say they’re fighting Mike Tyson tomorrow – I just want to focus on this week.”

And as for stopping Tszyu?

“Of course I can,” he grinned.

Asked if he had any lingering doubts following a knockout loss in his most recent appearance against Brian Mendoza, the challenger continued: “I know exactly what I did wrong in that last fight.

“I put my hands down, I leaned forward.

“Big no nose.

“And when you make those mistakes it costs you the fight.

“But I felt comfortable in that one, I thought I was winning the whole time.

“Of course, I made that mistake and I paid for it.

“But Saturday night I can become world champion.”