Tim Tszyu is edging closer to a potential super-fight with Terence Crawford, with the undefeated Australian set to compete for a junior-middleweight title unification.
In a dramatic turn of events, Tszyu's planned fight against Keith Thurman was called off on Tuesday (AEDT), opening the door for 197cm freak Sebastian Fundora to step up on 12 days' notice for a unification bout.
Tszyu had no issue taking on the much taller fighter on short notice and will now have the opportunity to defend his WBO title and look to add the WBC strap to his resume.
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Speaking to the media following the late change, the 29-year-old explained his thought process when Thurman pulled out and taking on a fresh challenge.
"I was obviously disappointed at first, because you spend your whole preparation focusing on this one bloke and one style," Tszyu said.
"It is what it is. There was no hesitation, it was a straight away 10-second thing.
"It made me pissed off … but the show goes on, it's simple. You've got to be able to take on all comers. He is tricky, he is tall – but I'm confident in victory by any means."
Fondura will come into the fight with a massive height and reach advantage against the Sydney-born superstar. The only loss of his career came via knockout in April 2023 against Brian Mendoza – the same man Tszyu disposed of last October.
While he acknowledged the physical differences between the pair, Tszyu revealed his camp have already flown in similar-sized sparring partners to prepare him for victory.
"We've got some already, my manager and one of our assistant coaches in Vegas have sorted it out straight away," he said.
"It's a big shift, I've been preparing for Keith Thurman … but I've got boys ready on the go and this is what it takes to be great. I'll get a couple of spars in to freshen up.
"To a certain extent, it is a more awkward fight – but everyone has got flaws, everyone has got advantages and strengths, but it's all about exploiting them."
In the midst of all the chaos, reports surfaced that the WBO will order the winner of Tszyu and Fondura to defend the 154lb belt against Crawford, who is regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.
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When quizzed on a potential clash with the world's best boxer, Tszyu didn't back down.
"Yeah beautiful – that is every fighter's dream, to be fighting on the biggest stage of them all," he said with a wry smile.
Tszyu and Fondura will headline the PBC pay-per-view event on March 31 (AEDT), with fellow Aussie Michael Zerafa also on the card in a middleweight world title bout.
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