Melissa Woods Australian Press Agency
Updated May 31, 2024 05:16, May 31, 2024 05:48
- The 29-year-old lost his world title in a controversial decision.
- He was badly injured by the elbow of the giant Sebastian Fundora.
Tim Tszyu's return to the ring has been put on hold after his world title fight against American Vergil Ortiz Jr was called off on medical advice.
Tsuchiyu was due to return to the United States to compete in a high-profile bout in Los Angeles headlined by pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.
The showdown with unbeaten knockout specialist Ortiz is for the WBA interim super welterweight world title and Choo has been preparing overseas, training with his father, legendary boxer Kostya, in Thailand this month.
But Tsiu, who suffered one of his most severe cuts in recent years in a fight against American Sebastian Fandora in late March, has been advised to stay away from the ring until his head wound heals.
The Australian surrendered his WBO super welterweight belt to Fandora following a controversial split decision loss in Las Vegas.
Tsushu was hit by a Towering Inferno elbow late in the second round, leaving him with a severe cut on his head.
The Australian fought for 10 rounds with complete loss of vision and was declared the winner 116-112 by one of the judges.
The Californian will not be able to step back into the ring until at least September after undergoing facial surgery following injuries sustained during the bout.
No Limit CEO George Rose said Tsiu was furious about the setback.
“We are extremely disappointed by this setback and it is extremely frustrating for Tim after a fantastic pre-season training camp with Kostya,” Rose said in a statement on Friday.
“He showed everyone he'd fight anything against Fandora, but I'll be honest, this decision was out of his hands.”
“At the end of the day, his body and medical professionals were telling him he wasn't ready.”
The WBO has sanctioned the Crawford vs. Israel Madrimov bout as an interim title fight, with the winner set to face Fundora next.
Fundora's management said they would honour the verbal rematch agreement before the WBO stepped in and shelved the rematch.
