Undefeated WBO super welterweight champion Tim Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) is set to defend his title and challenge for the vacant WBC belt when he takes on Sebastian Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) tonight from the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sebastian is a last-minute replacement for Keith Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs), who suffered an injury during training camp and was unable to compete in tonight’s event.
Sebastian Fundora is an extremely tall and lengthy boxer, standing 6 feet 6 inches tall with an extraordinary reach of 80 inches.
Although he’s built as such, Fundora does not utilize his body appropriately. He does not box on the outside at mid to long range; he instead prefers to fight on the inside.
If he does so against Tszyu, he will be fighting his fight and, in the process, allow Tim to break him down. Tszyu is a pressure fighter who punishes his opponent with vicious power punches.
Fundora must strategically box on the outside and use his 10-inch reach advantage, controlling the distance and pace of the fight.
This is easier said than done, as Fundora has struggled to stay on the outside in his previous 22 bouts, failing to stay disciplined and instead fighting in the pocket.
Tim Tszyu said at yesterday’s weigh-in that he’s a throwback fighter and is ready for a war. This fight has the potential to become one as both like to brawl, and both are mid to high-volume punchers.
Per Compubox Fundora on average throws on average 68.6 punches per round and Tszyu, 50.6 punches per round. Fundora is a heavy-footed fighter; Tszyu can exploit Fundora’s mobility by attacking him at angles and using the ring.
Although this is not Tszyu’s conventional fighting style, he can exploit this weakness if Fundora decides to box on the outside.
Tszyu is an offensive pressure fighter whose greatest weakness is his limited defense. He has minimal head movement and defends his opponent’s punches by parrying their attack. Fundora has good power and if both decide to go at each other, the stronger puncher will win the exchanges.
Fundora will be truly tested today. Will he be able to withstand the power of Tszyu? If he is unable to withstand his power, he may be forced to box on the outside and evade the punishment.
Tszyu will need to apply smart pressure and defend effectively against the higher-volume puncher.
Brian Mendoza (22-3, 16 KOs) was able to capitalize and punish Fundora for his aggression, scoring a knockout and handing Fundora his only loss.
Tszyu likes to attack the body, and he’ll have a large target to hit today. The body attack will be the key to Tim’s offensive strategy, it’ll allow him to slow Fundora down, and eventually break him down. If Tim is able to successfully target the body and defend effectively, he should be victorious.