Unified super-welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora claimed the WBC and WBO titles with an unexpected split-decision victory over Tim Tszyu last March. However, the imposing southpaw has only defended his titles once since that bout.
Reports indicate Fundora is now seeking a rematch with Tszyu. As a result, the 27-year-old Floridian is set to be stripped of his WBO belt for failing to meet his requirement to face the mandatory challenger.
Fundora (22-1-1, 14 KOs) stepped up as a late-notice replacement for Keith Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs) to challenge then-WBO champion Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs) despite coming off a knockout loss to Brian Mendoza. Fundora entered the fight as a significant underdog, with the vacant WBC title also on the line.
Aided by an early cut suffered by the champion, the unconventional `Towering Inferno` proved too difficult for Tszyu to handle. Fundora secured an upset win via split decision in a bloody contest.
Since that fight, Tszyu`s 2024 saw a setback with a third-round knockout loss to IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev, but he recently got back to winning ways with a knockout victory over Joey Spencer earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Fundora ended a year-long period of inactivity by stopping Chordale Booker in just four rounds last month. The sport`s tallest active world champion demonstrated he is a legitimate titleholder with this successful first defense.
Fundora was expected to face WBO mandatory challenger Xander Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs). However, Lance Pugmire of Boxing Scene reported yesterday that Fundora withdrew from Friday`s purse bids to pursue a rematch with Tszyu, who has reportedly activated a rematch clause for the fight.
Consequently, it is anticipated that Fundora will be stripped of the WBO super-welterweight world title imminently. Xander Zayas is expected to fight Jorge Garcia for the now-vacant title in the near future.
Additionally, after Tszyu had been expected to fight Keith Thurman in Australia this summer, Ring Magazine reports that Thurman (`One Time`) will now likely get a shot at the winner of the potential Fundora-Tszyu II fight, and therefore the WBC super-welterweight world title.
