Sebastián Fundora's camp has announced that it will honor his rematch agreement with Tim Tzu, despite initially suggesting the Australian would wait for a rematch with the new super middleweight champion.
Fundora's agent Sampson Lukowicz raised eyebrows after Sunday's dramatic and bloody world title fight, saying there was no written agreement for a rematch and considering maximizing his client's income with another bout. suggested that he would.
Tszyu's manager currently calls the suggestion that there is no contract for a rematch with Fundora “disturbing”, while his client has been given the option of both the WBO and WBC “whenever he sees fit”. He also emphasized that he should have the right to fight again for the title.
Exactly who Australia's marquee fighter Tszyu will fight next remains unclear after losing his WBO super welterweight title to Fandora in a bloody Las Vegas headliner.
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Tszyu vs. Fundora: Full Fight Highlights | 14:29
Some of the names already being talked about include Errol Spence Jr., WBA champion Israil Madrimov and, most obviously, a Fundora rematch.
Indeed, given that he sustained a severe head cut late in the second round of a world title fight, which was caused by Fundora's elbow, he not only fought “totally blind” for 30 minutes, but also changed the situation completely. , Tszyu has the right to a do-over. The situation of the battle has completely changed.
However, despite facing huge obstacles throughout the next 10 rounds, Tszyu lost a courageous split decision, leaving him just one point away from victory.
If Tsi had won, there was talk that he would fight Terrence Crawford or Errol Spence next, but both stars went public with Fandora.
The WBO announced Crawford on Monday as a mandatory player for the new champion.
It was initially reported that a rematch contract had been signed between Tzu's and Fundora's camps before the game, but it was reported on Monday that no such clause existed in the contracts signed by both players.
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However, Lewkowicz later released a statement declaring that he “honors” the verbal agreement for a rematch.
“A lot of the agreement was verbal because we were all eager for this fight,” Lewkowicz said.
“We ran out of time. However, I would like to make it clear that Team Fandora respects this agreement. My words are always equivalent to a signed contract.
“Tim Tzu, I’m ready for the rematch.”
Lukowicz insisted that a rematch would take place, but reiterated that the timing of the bout would depend on Tszyu and his recovery.
“It's all up to Tim Tse,” Lewkowicz said.
“If he doesn't agree to a rematch, no matter what the WBO says, we will accept Manderly or Spence from the WBO, but our priority is a rematch with Tim Tzu.”
Lukowicz's statement contradicts claims after the fight that there was nothing but a “verbal” agreement between the two sides and that the two sides could fight again.
talk to fox sports australia But on Sunday at the Battle of the Worlds, Jennings laughed off suggestions that no formal paperwork was in place, replying: “A verbal contract?”
“Sampson, come on, brother.
“There's nothing like that in boxing.
“He knows that and he’s just saying it about himself just to get a reaction.
“Sampson is a guy I've known for a long time.
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“He’s an old-school promoter who likes to stir and rock the boat.
“Only this.
“He knows that when he says things like that, his fighters react and get attention.
“But the story is cheap.
“There is no doubt that a time-limited rematch arrangement is in the works.”
Jennings added that the rematch in Australia was a “perfect” scenario.
“But everything is not so simple,” he stressed.
“Because the question is how does Sebastian move forward as unified champion and take on some of the big matches that we were considering?
“But Tim can say 100 percent that if he could meet Sebastian Fundora, he would want to fight him again.
“Because, yes, Fundora won the battle.
“But he won the battle against the blind man.
“Imagine what would happen if Tim Tzu could see.
“So let's sit down with No Limit and figure out what to do next.”
Shortly after, he added: “Tim Tzu didn't lose a penny of his stock last night.
“If anything, it has gone up.
“But the reality at this level is that if you lose, you have to go back and take a few more steps to get back to where you were.
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“So then we'll figure out what's best for Tim and go from there.”
Both Jennings and No Limit have acknowledged that there is a written rematch clause in place, but both Spence and Crawford are attempting to use their powerful influence to nullify that plan. It seems so.
On Saturday night, while Fundora was still celebrating in the ring, Spence stepped inside the ropes, confronted the hulking southpaw and declared himself his next rival.
But almost immediately, Crawford took to social media to demand that he would be next to take on “The Towering Inferno.” WBO president Paco Valcarcel immediately confirmed that “Bado” was a must-have for the title.
Elsewhere, the WBC could order Fundora to defend his title against Ukraine's Serhii Bokhachuk, who won the interim strap on the undercard of his fight against Brian Mendoza.
Nevertheless, Jennings added that his client will now disappear for a vacation in Hawaii.
“He's going to rest for a few weeks,” his agent said. “Swim in salt water and give his body a chance to recover after 20 weeks of camp.
“As usual, I asked him not to go to the gym.
“But I know that on the third day he'll send me the traditional 'hello' photo of him on the treadmill, punching the bag, or whatever, just to show me that he likes me.” Masu.
“But he'll then go back home to work on the next thing.”
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