Australian boxing villain Michael Zerafa has had his world title dreams “shattered” after collapsing in a brutal knockout.
The Australian will get the chance to step into the ring at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday and announce himself on the world stage.
The 29-year-old will face 'Towering Inferno' Sebastian Fundora for the WBO and WBC super welterweight titles.
After his original opponent, Keith Thurman, was sidelined with an injury, Tszyu did not hesitate to accept the difficult task of fighting Fundora on only 12 days' notice.
Boxing: Don't miss this Sunday when Tim Tzu takes on the 6-foot-6 Towering Inferno Sebastian Fundra in a unified world title bout. Plus, watch fellow Australian Michael Zerafa take on Erislandy Lara for the middleweight world championship live from Las Vegas | Sunday, March 31 at 11am AEDT | Exclusively on Main Event, on Kayo Sports Please place your order. No Kayo subscription required.
Fundora is a lanky 6-foot-1 boxer whose only loss was to Brian Mendoza, whom Tszyu defeated in his most recent bout last year.
If he wins, the Australian will face pound-for-pound champion Terrence Crawford in the box, but Errol Spence Jr. has named the winner of Tszyu and Fundora for the bout.
12:30pm – Zerafa crushed with brutal KO
Australia's Michael Zerafa's world title hopes were brutally dashed in six minutes when he was knocked out by Erislandy Lara with one second left in the second round.
The 40-year-old Lara, whose WBA middleweight title was on the line, looked the better of him early on, but then landed a killer left hook that sent Zerafa crashing to the canvas.
The 32-year-old Australian was stunned by the blow and shook his head at the referee before staggering to the ropes and the match was stopped.
exclaimed the commentator. Mamma mia! “
“In lightning-fast fashion, Erislandi Lara's Cuban missile hit Michael Zerafa.”
Michael Zerafa was in bad shape.
Zerafa famously withdrew from the 2021 match against Tszyu, and this miserable loss could leave his career in tatters.
Megan Bernard said on Main Event: “Heartbroken for Michael Zerafa as his world title dreams were shattered.”
Erislandy Lara's left hook did the damage. Photo: Main event.
12:15pm – Fear of “edgy” Tszyu
Tim Tse arrived at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas ahead of the biggest test of his career.
He told Main Event's Ben Damon: My blood is boiling. ”
The Main Event commentary team said that Tszyu looked “edgy” and that the 20 centimeter height difference with Fundora would be a big challenge.
Megan Barnard said, “He's definitely a little nervous, maybe a little nervous.”
Peter Badell of the Courier-Mail said: I think the difference will be too large. I hope I'm wrong. He (Fandora) is a man mountain. I have never seen such a height difference. ”
Former world champion Andre Ward added: “Tim Tzu has to find a way to solve this puzzle. If he can't solve this puzzle, there will be no Errol Spence or Terence Crawford.”
Ben Damon talks to Tim Tzu before the game.
12pm – Australian star's arrival delayed
Michael Zerafa revealed he was stuck outside T-Mobile Arena with Tim Tzu in the rain because they couldn't find the entrance to the venue.
“It was a little disorganized,” Zerafa said.
“My team and Tim Tze’s team were all trying to get in front and get wet.
“Today is our show here. It was a little disappointing, but we are here now and there are no hurdles left to jump.”
9:30 a.m. — Sydney's superfight will break all records
The world will open up for Tim Tzu if he can beat Sebastian Fundora, but the biggest offer may lure him back home.
A dream bout with pound-for-pound king Terrence Crawford and superstar Errol Spence appears to be a likely destination for Tszyu's next opponent, but a wild card option could also be on the table There is sex.
The Sunday Telegraph first reported that New South Wales Premier Chris Minnes supports Tszyu's next match being played at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
Tim Tze weighed 152.8 pounds.
It remains to be seen whether Crawford would consider leaving the United States to fight Tszyu, but an offer to fight Tszyu in front of 40,000 fans in a redeveloped stadium would be a good idea, especially if the price is right. , it may be difficult to refuse.
According to the report, hosting the event will cost approximately $35 million.
Mr Tszyu told News Corp he was excited about the idea and described it as “a real mega-fight”.
8 a.m. — Tszyu encounters intense pregame incident with “Weasel.”
Tim Tze got into a heated argument with Sebastian Fundora's manager ahead of a big world title press conference inside the MGM Grand here in Las Vegas, telling the famous agent: “You disrespected me.” I did.
Fundora himself, a figurehead in Australian boxing, said he couldn't believe the tall American would allow himself to eat “shit” like pizza for days after a world title fight. vehemently criticized.
There is a serious height difference between Tszyu and Fundora.
Ahead of the press conference, Choi had his sights set on famous boxing manager Sampson Lukovic, also known as the man who discovered Manny Pacquiao.
This week, astonished onlookers watched as Tszyu engaged in a brief but heated exchange with a man who had already been branded a “weasel.”
This showdown comes just 24 years after Lewkowicz suggested he would no longer take Fundora Down Under for a post-unification rematch, and that Tsi might need a rematch before they clash again. It happened hours later.
As a result, things got heated as the two finally met for the first time before a huge press conference inside the vast MGM Grand Ballroom.
When asked by Fox Sports Australia what was said between the two, Ms Tze said:
“I told him, 'I said if I beat you, I'd come to Australia.'
“I told him that wasn’t going to happen.
“And I started calling him Itachi, because he is Itachi.”
full fight card
Tim Tzu vs. Sebastian Fundora — WBO and WBC super welterweight title fight
Laurie Romero vs. Isaac Cruz – WBA super lightweight title fight
Erislandy Lara defeats Michael Zerafa by KO to win WBA middleweight title
Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Angelino Cordova wins WBC flyweight title by majority decision
Serhiy Bokhachuk vs. Brian Mendoza (via UD) — WBC interim super welterweight title won
tape story
Tim Tze
Age: 29 years old
Record: 24 wins, 0 losses (14 KOs)
Height: 174cm
Height: 179cm
Stance: Orthodox
Sebastian Fundora
Age: 26 years old
Record: 20 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw (13 KOs)
Height: 197cm
Reach 203cm
Stance: southpaw
