Promoter Leonard Ellerbe wants Tim Tszyu to pump the brakes on his views of his fight against Sebastian Fundora being a slam dunk win for him.
The experienced promoter Ellerbe insists the 6’5″ Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) is a tall order and could pull off the unthinkable by dropping WBO junior middleweight champion Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) early and then getting him out of there.
Fundora is highly motivated to beat Tszyu in the main event on Prime Video PPV this Saturday, March 30th, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
This is basically the Super Bowl for Fundora, as he’s never been in a fight of this magnitude before, and if he loses, he may never get another chance.
In the co-feature bout, WBA light welterweight champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero will attempt to keep from becoming a one-hit wonder when he defends his belt for the first time against Isaac ‘Pitbull Cruz.
Ellerbe Warns of Fundora’s Threat
“Tim has made a big splash in America, and he can continue on Saturday night with that movement with an impressive performance. What stands in front of him is a 6’6″ Sebastian Fundora. That’s going to be a tough out, and Tim has got his hands full this Saturday night,” said promoter Leonard Ellerbe to Jai McAllister about what Tim Tszyu is up against in his title defense against ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora.
Some boxing fans think Ellerbe is pulling for Fundora to win. It’s unclear how this would help Mayweather Promotions, but perhaps Ellerbe has a hidden angle that he’s not discussing.
“Of course, he does. He’s a 6’6″ unorthodox fighter, a southpaw, who throws punches all night long,” Ellerbe said about Fundora when asked if he has a chance of beating Tszyu. “He ain’t going to run around the ring. He’s going to be right there.
“Tim ain’t got to chase him around the ring. He’s going to be right there. It’s too early during a fight week with a big opportunity for him on a major platform on Amazon Prime,” said Ellerbe about it being too early for Tszyu to be talking up a fight between him and Terence Crawford.
Fundora has got to know that he can’t run from Tszyu because he’s too good at cutting off the ring, and he’d quickly trap him against the ropes. If Fundora had the mobility of a fighter like Shakur Stevenson, he’d get away with moving, but he can’t do that.
‘What If’ Scenario
“I understand him and his team have a lot of confidence. Glen is a great manager, but I personally don’t like to look ahead,” said Ellerbe. “You got to focus on what’s in front of you because if you don’t focus on what’s in front of you, you trip up and make a mistake.
“What if he [Tszyu] gets knocked down in the third or fourth round and gets hurt, and he can’t recover?” said Ellerbe, speaking in ‘what ifs.’
