Tim Tszyu has missed out on emulating his famous father after losing a bloody war with Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas.
The previously unbeaten Australian boxing star went into the bout hoping to become a unified world champion with the WBC and WBO belts, but the 12-round battle ended with Fundora’s aim raised in a split decision.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Blood flows after Tim Tszyu cops stray elbow.
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Fundora’s victory created his own slice of history as he joined his sister Gabriela as a world champion.
“It means the world,” he said.
Tszyu received the first comment after the fight, admitting he “couldn’t see”.
“I’m an old throwback fighter. Whatever circumstances — I couldn’t see — all credit to the man who won tonight,” he said.
“These things happen. The momentum was rolling, swinging hard in the first two rounds and then boom. This is boxing. This is part of the sport, these things happen.
“Congratulations to Fundora. He’s the new king.”
Tszyu said he will bounce back but did not indicate whether he would seek an immediate rematch with Fundora, naming Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford during his interview.
“I’ll fight whoever, whenever,” he said.
Spence spoke in the ring after the fight and indicated he was ready to take on Fundora for the belts.
Tszyu was originally set to fight Keith Thurman before he pulled out with injury, promoting Fundora to the main event and creating a significant mismatch.
The Aussie gave away 23cm in height and it proved a problem in the second round when his head was cut open as he ducked and was swiped by a Fundora elbow.
The 29-year-old’s wound flipped the fight and put him at risk of being stopped through no fault of his own.
Fundora, the less accomplished of the two, gained confidence through the early rounds and gave Tszyu some trouble as the Aussie adjusted to fighting while hurt.
Tszyu’s cut man went to work between rounds but the blood continued to pour, yet he was still battling to stay on top.
The seventh round began under a cloud with the doctor conducting a quick check on Tszyu and his ability to see through the blood.
By the end of the ninth — when Fundora had edged ahead on the scorecards — blood was still covering Tszyu’s head seconds after being cleaned up.
The 10th round was described as “like a crime scene” by one commentator, with another saying it was “one of the bloodiest fights I’ve seen in a long time”.