Australia's Tim Tse is said to need to fight at least once before securing a world title rematch with Sebastian Fundora, who is currently set to steer towards Errol Spence Jr. Despite having personally gifted the great American his WBO world title belt.
In the chaotic aftermath of Sunday's bloody world title loss, Fundora's manager, Sampson Lukowicz, warned his client would not be headed Down Under for a rematch, with Tszyu also willing to try with at least one win. He warned them that they must return to their positions.
This happened after Errol Spence Jr. entered the ring after the match and offered to fight Fundora next, and Lukovic said after the match that “promoters need to maximize the interests of their fighters.'' I think…we need to take care of business first.”
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It was suggested this week that a rematch had already been set for Tszyu to get a second chance after his loss in Australia, but his agent said Tszyu would have to “wait at least one match” and added: We will definitely do it,” he added. In the United States”.
All of this prompted an angry response from No Limit CEO George Rhodes, who stressed that Team Fundora knows the rematch clause exists, has a timeline, and can be enacted immediately if Tszyu wishes. did.
“So just try to get out of there and do your best,” Rose said.
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But while the two sides may be at odds over what happens next, Tszyu urged the new champion to retain his WBO belt after the bloody Las Vegas fight, giving Fandora an incredible amount of respect. Indicated.
After the chaotic championship bout concluded and Fundora was declared the winner by split decision, officials handed Fundora both the vacant WBC strap and Tszyu's WBO gold medal.
But later, when the American tried to give the Sydneysider's belt backstage – as he would soon be getting his own – Tszyu was reluctant to accept it and instead said, The Towering Inferno offered it to him as his own.
“That's your belt, brother,” Tsi said.
“Congratulations on your victory, dude. You are a true warrior.
You're a tall mother and you're a fucking hell. It's all yours, dude. Victory is hard won. ”
But the rematch controversy is something else entirely.
That's not surprising given that Lukovic (who Tszyu also labeled a “weasel” and went head-to-head with during fight week) issued a similar warning to FOX Sports Australia.
In a post-open-practice press conference on Wednesday afternoon, the agent who famously discovered Manny Pacquiao said he would no longer accept a rematch Down Under, but then criticized Team Zi's “disdain” for the fighter. Considering that, he hinted that it may be necessary to fight to get there. By continuing to talk about a possible showdown with Terrence Crawford.
But when asked about Lukowicz's comments after the game, Rose said: “He knows there's a rematch clause.
“And if we want to take it, we will take it.
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“I hope Tim takes it and gives them the belt straight back.
“I’m happy to have a rematch next and good luck trying to get out of there.”
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Rose added that there is also a timetable for the clause, adding: “We'll be looking over the next few days as to when it will be triggered.”
“Or if some other big fish wants to jump up and swim with Tim.
“If I have another chance, I will consider it.
“But we have limited time to make that decision.”
Asked to confirm that if Team Tszyu wants an immediate rematch, it must happen, Rose said yes.
“That's the plan, yeah,” he said.
And Team Fandora has indicated they will not travel to Under Under?
“It’s up in the air,” he said.
“We were able to put on a great show in Australia.
“And we're really excited to have the opportunity to fight here in Las Vegas and we want to be back here again.
“But we'll take it wherever it falls.”
Asked if he regretted agreeing to take on his fighter for size with just 12 days' notice, Rose added:
“You saw what I saw in them in the first two rounds.
“That was a Tim Tze fight.
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“If he had been blinded by blood, it would definitely have ended early in Tim Tzu's favor.
“I'm very proud of him.
“He talked about being a warrior and how he wanted to push himself and it showed on the field.
“I have nothing but respect for him and his team.
“He was very prepared for that fight.
“But a freak accident happened and a waterfall of blood poured into his eyes for 10 rounds. That didn't deter him from getting up from his corner every round to fight a man who had the advantage.” It was.''
Rose also stated that he was not upset that Spence was allowed to get into the ring after the match and discuss the idea of a match with Fundora, despite the clause being in place.
“No, that's not true,” Rose said.
“Erol Spence is the guy people want to fight at this weight.
“So if he wants to go to 154, talk to Tim Tzu, talk to Sebastian Fundora, because it’s a fight that everyone is interested in.
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“And it's a battle we can't escape.”
But now it looks like Team Fandora will pursue that offer.
And it followed a warning Leukowitz told Fox Sports Australia during Wednesday's open practice. “I respect Tszyu for coming into this game… but what I don't like is that his management is overlooking Fundora.”
“They have no respect for my fighters and talk about them as if they don't even deserve to be in the same ring, and that's something I really hate.
“And they're probably going to pay the price.
“You can quote me on that.
“Because this is not how you do business.
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“You're focused on this fight, not the future.
“Maybe the same thing is happening in Australia, I don't know.
“But I got hurt.”
Shortly thereafter, the agent continued:
“But it makes sense what they did.
“And that could cause problems in future negotiations to go to Australia.”
“There's a rematch clause, but it doesn't make me feel good.”
At one point, Lukowicz even suggested that Tszyu might not be granted a rematch right away.
“Maybe he'll have to go fight one more time,” he said.
