Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora sprung the surprise of the night, with a living daylights performance, defeating Aussie Tim Tszyu via split decision, in a bloody ring war, to win the vacant WBC Super Welterweight Title, plus the WBO Belt at the inaugural PBC´s + Amazon Prime event.
Tszyu was originally scheduled to face two-time world champion Keith Thurman, who was forced to withdraw after suffering a bicep injury during training. Fundora who was already training to compete in this first Amazon PPV event, took his place. A tall order at short notice.
The fight started with Tszyu throwing and landing hard rights one of which snapped back the head of the lanky southpaw, who undeterred, kept pumping out his long piston like right jab, trying to fend him off.
In the second round, Tszyu was dominating with power and effective rhythm, but Tszyu suffered an accidental deep cut to his forehand at the very end of the second round, dipping down low and accidentally getting caught by an elbow, and it changed the course of the fight.
Seeing Tszyu bleeding profusely, Fundora pressed hard, throwing clusters of punches, yet he himself was suffering from a nose bleed which couldn’t be staunched between rounds.
Fundora continued to work well with his long right jab. He threw more punches, and was more active, against Tszyu, who fought back but was outreached.
Fundora was throwing his effective southpaw jab landing constantly, while Tszyu focused on throwing less but powerful shots to Fundora’s face.particularly right hooks.
Both fighters were bathed and drenched in blood during almost all the fight. It took the breath away of the fans in the T-Mobile arena. The red badge of courage!
The Towering Inferno was crane like! Levering his combinations, convinced that victory was within his range, reach and grasp. However, Tszyu launched a late offensive. Masked in blood he pressed the action, but for his pains, he was being pierced with rapier style accuracy.
After twelve bells tolled and both had broiled, Sebastian Fundora was declared the winner via split decision in a Fight of the Year Candidate. “Captain Blood!”
With this victory, Fundora won the WBC and WBO super welterweight titles, improving his record to 21-1-1, with 13 knockouts, becoming, along with his sister Gabriela Fundora, world champions, the both.
Tszyu, lost his undefeated record, leaving his record at 24-1, with 17 knockouts.
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