Tim Tszyu Pulls Out Of His Fight With Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Tim Tszyu has withdrawn from his fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr., which was set for August 3.
Tszyu was scheduled to fight on the Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov card, which came as a surprise. The Australian had already gone through a tough fight with Sebastian Fundora on March 30, in which he suffered the first defeat of his career in a split decision loss. Tszyu was dominating the earlier parts of the fight before a cut over his hairline changed the momentum. Tszyu connected on Fundora’s elbow as the boxer was bleeding profusely. Rather than stopping the fight, Tszyu continued as the bleeding hindered his vision.
“I told you I’m an old throwback fighter. I couldn’t see, but all credit belongs to the man who won tonight. You know what, these things happen. The momentum was rolling, I was swinging hard in the first two rounds and then boom, you’re blinded completely. This is boxing, this is part of the sport. This thing happens.
“Congratulations to Fundora, he’s the new king of the 154 (pound division). We’ll bounce back. The arena showed up. I showed up still. No matter what. I’ll always bring the fight. I was given one week, no excuses. I’ll fight whoever, whenever. Even Errol Spence is here, I’ll fight him. Even Terence Crawford. You want a good scrap? You know who to call,” Tszyu said
Tszyu Pulls Out
Now, according to Dan Rafael, Tszyu has withdrawn after his scalp cut did not heal from the Fundora fight.
“Per source, Tim Tszyu has been forced to withdraw from his Aug. 3 fight vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr. on the Crawford-Madrimov mega-card being put on by Turki Alalshikh in LA. Doc ruled him out due to terrible cut suffered vs. Fundora not being healed enough for him to fight,” Dan Rafael stated
The news could be a blessing in disguise. It gives Tszyu time off to heal from the Fundora fight and avoid unnecessary risks by facing Ortiz. Ortiz is an undefeated knockout artist. All his 21 wins have come by knockout, making him a legitimate threat.
Tszyu’s Future
Tszyu can also consider whether it is better to pursue the Fundora rematch. Fundora’s team were open to it following the Tszyu fight, given how it played out with the cut. Fundora is likely to box Errol Spence Jr. next October. If Fundora keeps the titles, Tszyu will target that since it offers him a world title.
“We were all so eager to make this fight that many of our agreements were made verbally. There wasn’t enough time. But I wish to make it clear that Team Fundora will honour the agreement. My word is always equal to a signed contract. Tim Tszyu, your rematch is ready when you are,” Sampson Lewkowicz (Tsyzu’s promoter)
Tszyu cannot afford back-to-back defeats if he still desires to face the big names in the division. Now that he is no longer the WBO Champion at 154, he must rebuild himself into a position to challenge for a world title.
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