ERROL SPENCE JR VS. TIM TSZYU | HIGHLIGHTS | 🥊

 

CAR WRECKS, PTSD AND KO'D: ERROL SPENCE IS ONE LOSS FROM OBLIVION

 

Ryan Hafey/PBC

Errol Spence Jr. survived horrific car wrecks, PTSD and one of boxing’s most brutal defeats. Saturday night in Australia, another loss could leave one of the finest welterweights of his generation with nowhere left to go.

Spence already completed one remarkable comeback. He climbed back to the top after two terrifying car accidents, a detached retina and the PTSD that followed, proving every doubt about his future wrong by returning to unify the welterweight division.

The Terence Crawford Knockout

Then came Terence Crawford.

The Spence who entered the ring in Las Vegas in July 2023 barely resembled the relentless pressure fighter who had dominated one of boxing’s toughest divisions for years. Crawford controlled the fight before stopping him in the ninth round, handing Spence the first defeat of his professional career.

Almost three years later, Spence heads to Australia facing the biggest test of his comeback.

The crashes never defined Spence because he came back to defend his world titles. Saturday offers him one chance to prove Crawford didn’t change him forever.

During a tense episode of PBC Face To Face, Spence acknowledged the doubts that have followed him ever since that night.

“I want to fight someone that people have doubts about me beating them,” Spence said. “They gotta ask if I’m the same killer. I’m coming to prove to myself and to everybody else that I am still the biggest, in any division that I’m in.”

Nobody questioned whether Spence could return after the crashes because he answered every challenge in the ring. But for the first time in his career, many wondered whether they were watching the same Errol Spence.

Tim Tszyu Sees Vulnerability

Tim Tszyu certainly isn’t convinced.

“I respect what you’ve done in your career, but you haven’t had a fight in three years,” Tszyu said. “How can I say I know definitively that you’re ready?”

Nobody can answer that until the opening bell.

After almost three years away from the ring, Spence rebuilt under renowned trainer Ronnie Shields. Rather than easing back with a tune-up, he accepted one of the toughest assignments available by traveling to Australia to face a former world champion in front of a partisan crowd.

The preparation has hardly been flawless. Spence was originally expected to weigh no more than 158 pounds before the bout but was unable to make the agreed mark, forcing a late adjustment to 160.

On its own, the change may prove insignificant, but combined with three years of inactivity, the punishment his body has absorbed and the doubts created by Crawford, it becomes another concern Spence simply didn’t need.

“This fight came at the perfect moment,” Spence said. “I didn’t want a tune-up, so when Tim Tszyu got brought up, I said I’ll fight him in Australia.”

That belief has carried Spence through every chapter of his career and into the biggest comeback of his life.

One More Defeat Could End the Road Back

Victory would silence many of the doubts surrounding his future and place him back among the leading names at super welterweight.

A knockout defeat is another matter entirely.

Another stoppage loss would leave Spence almost six years removed from his last defining victory and facing enormous questions about whether another world title opportunity will ever come.

At 36, after two near-fatal car wrecks, PTSD, eye problems, the Crawford defeat, three years away from the ring and now an interrupted weight plan, another Pay Per View headliner would become almost impossible to imagine.

Spence has already overcome twisted metal, shattered expectations and the psychological scars left by two near-fatal crashes. He even admitted before facing Crawford that he believed the biggest payday of his career would at least provide for his family if he never came home.

Tszyu isn’t testing Spence’s courage on Saturday. He’s testing whether the fighter Bud dismantled still exists.

If Tszyu knocks Spence out on Saturday, it won’t simply be another defeat. It could close the book on one of the greatest welterweight careers of the modern era.

- Phil Jay

MANNY PACQUIAO VS. MARIO BARRIOS RESULTS: FIGHT CARD HIGHLIGHTS

Manny Pacquiao made a triumphant return to the boxing ring.

Even if it didn’t end in victory.

Fighting for the first time in nearly four years, the 46-year-old Pacquiao and 30-year-old Mario Barrios fought to a majority draw. The judges scored the welterweight bout 115-113 (in favor of Barrios), 114-114, 114-114 and Barrios retained his WBC welterweight title.

Manny Pacquiao reacts next to Mario Barrios after their WBC welterweight title fight ended in a majority draw.
© Harry How, Getty Images

The crowd booed, but Pacquiao called it a "wonderful" fight. It was an inspired performance from Pacquiao against a fighter 16 years younger than him.

"I thought I won the fight. I mean, it’s close fight," Pacquiao said. "My opponent very tough. … Wonderful fight.’’

Barrios said he thought he “pulled (the fight) out. But I still tip my hat to Manny. It was an honor to share the ring with him.’’

Manny Pacquiao's incredible stamina

Barrios said he was surprised by Pacquiao’s stamina at age 46.

“It was crazy. His stamina. He could still crack. He’s still strong as hell. And, you know, his timing is real and everything. He was still a very awkward fighter to try to figure out.’’

Pacquiao had not fought since 2021, when he lost to Yordenis Ugas by unanimous decision.

Pacquiao was asked about his stamina and how he pulled this off at age 46.

“Oh, just work hard. Hard work and then discipline. Everything like that.’’

What's next for Manny Pacquiao?

In the final rounds, Barrios said, his corner was telling him to pick it up and start pressing Pacquiao.

“That was the plan in the first place coming in here, try to make him feel old. But, man, he has such good legs, he has a lot in the tank. And … he still has a lot of fight left in him.’’ 

Barrios said he would give Pacquiao a rematch after being told by broadcaster Jim Gray that’s what Pacquiao wanted.

“Absolutely,’’ Barrios said.

Asked if he will fight again, Pacquiao said, “I think so. I think so. God willing.’’

The crowd cheered. 

©Harry How, Getty Images
Sebastian Fundora poses with his team after his TKO victory over Tim Tszyu.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios: Round-by-round analysis

Welterweight bout, 12 rounds

Round 1

Manny Pacquiao is back! But, for how long? We’ll soon know as he and Mario Barrios respond to the sound of the bell. But before it sounds, up go the chants, “Man-ny! Man-ny!” Boy, Barrios is significantly bigger than Pacquaio. Barrios connects with his jab twice. Pacquiao looks a little unsure as he gets hit with the jab despite the chants. Pacquiao throws a left that lands to Barrios' head. Pacquiao eats a jab from Barrios. Throws a left and takes a right from Barrios. Pacquiao lands a right and later rushes in but without conviction. Barrios looks prepared. Barrios 10, Pacquiao 9

Round 2

Barrios out quick with his jab. Barrios a little more aggressive with the jab. Barrios lands a jab and slips to the canvas. A clear slip. Barrios working that jab. Barrios using his reach well. Pacquiao less active in this round. Pacquiao lands a hard left and Barrios counters with a jab. Barrios peppering Pacquiao with the jab as the round ends. Barrios 20, Pacquiao 18

Round 3

Pacquiao rushes in for a left. The speed is there, but the punch did not connect. Pacquiao looking more aggressive. Barrios connects with a right to the body. Barrios connects with a jab as Pacquiao tries to close the distance. Pacquiao complaining about low blows. The ref shakes off the complaint. Clearly those body shots are bothering Pacquiao. Pacquiao lands a couple of punches and Barrios connects. Barrios 30, Pacquiao 27

Round 4

Pacquiao scores and back comes two fists from Barrios. Pacquiao lunges in for a shot, and Barrios seems prepared. The speed and power for which Pacquiao was known simply not apparent here. Barrios using his size difference. Pacquiao doing his best to close the gap but so far it’s not enough. Barrios 40, Pacquiao 36

Round 5

Pacquiao squirms in and lands to Barrios’ body. That looked like vintage Pacquiao. Is there more there? Pacquiao again, darts in and lands a left. Barrios counters with jabs. Pacquiao darts in again for the left. Pacquiao evades a punch and shows some quickness. Pacquiao closes with a flourish. Barrios 49, Pacquiao 46

Round 6

Pacquiao closes the gap and lands to the body and the head. There’s some old Manny. Barrios lands a snapping jab and follows it up with another. But Pacquiao is fighting through the punches in an attempt to land them. Pacquiao taking chances and lands a few body shots in close quarters. Pacquaio takes a punch but closes with a flourish. Barrios 58, Pacquaio 56

Round 7

Barrios still fighting behind the jab. In comes Pacquiao and he lands a combination. Then does it again! Barrios counters with a right. For all of Barrios’ size advantage, he’s yet to really hurt Pacquiao. Pacquiao takes a shot and gives one back. Up go the chants again: “Manny, Manny!’’ Barrios 67, Pacquiao 66

Round 8

Barrios lands a solid right and then a body shot. Pacquiao didn’t like that one. Barrios throwing punches but no successful combinations. He looks passive now as Pacquiao scores. Pacquiao was under siege and fired back. He turned back the clock there! Barrios 76, Pacquiao 76

Round 9

Pacquiao getting stronger? He’s taking it to Barrios now. Barrios punches, and Pacquiao immediately responds – with combinations. Now it’s Barrios looking tentative and unsure of himself. The crowd bathing Manny in chants. Pacquiao 86, Barrios 85

Round 10

Barrios strikes early. A hard exchange of body shots. Barrios lands a hard combo. But Barrios still looks a little tentative, but lands a hard left there. Pacquiao going toe to toe with a man 16 years younger than he is. More chants of “Manny, Manny!’’ Those massive Pacquiao claves have served him well. Pacquiao 96, Barrios 94

Round 11

Barrios strikes with both hands and with force. Then connects with the jab before Pacquiao responds. Pacquiao scores with a right hook and follows up with another before Barrios pounces. Pacquiao ducks a punch and delivers one. Still showing quickness, then eats a jab from Barrios. Pacquiao 105, Barrios 104

Round 12

They hug before the round begins. Barrios scores with a jarring right. Barrios lets fly with both hands. Pacquiao counters with a left. Up go the chants again with about a minute left. No overtime, folks. Barrios looking good as the round closes. The crowd is on its feet, even as Barrios looks in command. Pacquiao 114, Barrios 114

Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios fight card results

• Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios declared majority draw, welterweight bout, 12 rounds

• Sebastian Fundora def. Tim Tszyu by TKO, super welterweight bout

• Isaac Cruz def. Omar Salcido by unanimous decision, super lightweight bout, 10 rounds

• Brandon Figueroa def. Joet Gonzalez by unanimous decision, featherweight bout, 12 rounds

• Gary Russell Jr. def. Hugo Castaneda by TKO in 10th round, super featherweight

• Eumir Marcial def. Bernard Joseph by KO in third round, middleweight

• David Picasso def. Kyonosuke Kameda by majority decision, super bantamweight

• Mark Magsayo def. Jorge Mata by unanimous decision, lightweight bout

Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios ring walks

Mario Barrios is making his way to the ring first, despite being the reigning WBC welterweight champion. The honor of walking in last goes to Manny Pacquiao, the eight-division champion in his 16th ringwalk at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Both men are in the ring and Manny plays his favorite song: "Eye of the Tiger."

- USA Today 

SEBASTIAN FUNDORA SEEKS NEW CHALLENGER FOR FIRST TITLE DEFENSE; ERROL SPENCE FIGHT NO LONGER IN PLAY

 

A fight that never received the green light from one sanctioning body is officially off the table.

Sebastian Fundora will now seek a new challenger for the first defense of his unified WBC/WBO 154-pound title reign. The Ring’s No. 4 rated junior middleweight was linked for months to a showdown with former unified welterweight titlist Errol Spence Jr., which is no longer in play.

ESPN.com’s Mike Coppinger—who revealed the fight’s collapse on Thursday—previously reported that the fight was targeted for March 29. Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) himself denied any such rumors, nor did it seem logical for Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) to cram three pay-per-view events in a span of nine weekends.

PBC will host PPVs shows on Feb. 1 (David Benavidez-David Morrell) and March 1 (Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach WBA lightweight title fight).

Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) has not fought since his title winning effort over then-unbeaten Tim Tszyu (now 24-2, 17 KOs; No. 7 at 154 by The Ring) last March 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Spence joined him in the ring during the post-fight interview, an intentional move to plant the seed for such a fight.

The WBC was prepared to approve the fight. The Mexico City-headquartered outfit already had Spence as its number one contender. The ranking was met with raised eyebrows as Spence hasn’t fought since a July 2023 one-sided knockout loss to Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) and has yet to campaign at junior middleweight.

Those exact reasons were why the WBO was never on board.

“The WBO would not sanction Fundora/Spence due to the latter being (1) inactive for 1 year & 5 months; (2) a TKO loss in last bout; (3) not rated in 154 lbs., & 4) has never fought in 154 lbs.,” explained WBO president Gustavo Olivieri. “Ruling otherwise would be a disservice to the rest of the 154 world-rated contenders.”

That very stance has remained the same by the WBO Championship Committee since the fight was first suggested last year.

Fundora was instead ordered to face Crawford, The Ring’s No. 3 pound fighter and No. 1 junior middleweight who currently owns the WBA and interim WBO titles. The two sides reached an agreement that would permit Fundora to enter a voluntary defense. It led to speculation that Spence would get the fight, though never with more than one belt at stake.

With the fight now tabled—if not done altogether—the WBO is pressed with a decision whether to reorder Fundora-Crawford or confirm details of any contingency plan in place.

Xander Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) and Charles Conwell (21-0, 16 KOs) are the two highest rated WBO junior middleweight contenders. Zayas is due to face unbeaten Slawa Spomer (20-0, 11 KOs) on Feb. 14 at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York City.

Conwell does not have a fight scheduled as this goes to publication. The Ring’s No. 8 junior middleweight contender picked up three knockout victories in a productive 2024 campaign after promotional issues left him benched the prior year. He is prepared to cash in that good fortune for his first career title shot.

“This the moment we been waiting on,” Conwell, a 2016 U.S. Olympian, said in a post on X. “I’m here and ready! I’m ready to fight, unlike Errol Spence.”

Meanwhile, Spence’s next move is not known, nor does it seem like his heart is still in the sport.

“Boxing is so f---ed up,” Spence, who turns 35 in March, said in a Jan. 15 post on X to suggest he already knew the score.

- JAKE DONOVAN

KOSTYA, TIM TSZYU SHARE EMOTIONAL REUNION ON EVE OF THE TITLE FIGHT

Tim Tszyu [R] faces a huge fight against Bakhram Murtazaliev this weekend Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

With 14 heartfelt words, the great Kostya Tszyu has buried the myth that he has been estranged from his sons for more than a decade as Australian boxing's royal family finally came together in Florida.

Tszyu was a surprising and conspicuous presence after gatecrashing the official pre-fight press conference for Tim's IBF super-welterweight showdown on Sunday with Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev, stealing the show from his world title-chasing eldest child.

Not expected in until hours later, the 55-year-old Hall of Famer shocked Tim from behind with a familiar fatherly massage, then greeted younger son Nikita in the flesh for the first time in 11 years with a long, emotional embrace.

"They are in my heart every second. They are in my thoughts every second," said Tszyu, who left Australia some 15 years ago and returned to his native Russia, starting a new life and new family.

"I've seen them regularly, nearly on the phone every day. But of course, it's not the same.

"I'm sure we'll have a great, great time here together."

Tszyu hasn't been ringside for any of his boys' combined 35 professional bouts since Tim's debut in 2016.

Tim has repeatedly recalled that night at the SCG a "circus", branding his father a "pain in the arse" as he screamed out instructions uncontrollably.

All has been forgiven, with the former unified world champ given a front-row seat for Tim's date with destiny at the Caribe Royale Orlando resort.

Tszyu, though, cannot promise he will be able to contain himself watching on live for the first time in nine years.

"I don't know how I will be," he said.

"I'm alright now. I'm not nervous now but I'm not sure what's going to happen tomorrow.

"I will try - maybe it's not right to do, maybe - but I'll put extra pressure on that guy (Murtazaliev).

Surprise surprise! @KostyaTszyu arrives early to be there for @Tim_Tszyu's world title press conference in Orlando. #TszyuMurtazaliev pic.twitter.com/atQkeRaIsb

— No Limit Boxing (@NoLimit_Boxing) October 17, 2024

"I'm sorry, my friend, but I'll do it."

Team Tszyu will be hoping there is no repeat of the fiasco in Las Vegas in March when Tim suffered the first defeat of his career, a controversial split-decision loss after an accidental elbow from Sebastian Fundora left the Sydneysider with a gaping head wound.

"Thank God I wasn't there because I don't know what would I do during that fight," Tszyu said.

"The referee is supposed to stop the fight, not (the) corner.

"It's a referee and the way he was bleeding non-stop, many countries would stop the fight."

The outcome of this fight could send Tim Tszyu to either the top or the bottom of the boxing world.

Tim said his father told him two hours earlier that he would not be at Friday's press conference.

"It was typical, man. I'm sort of used to it now," the 29-year-old said of Tszyu's unexpected appearance.

- AAP

TURKI ALALSHIKH RULES OUT WORKING WITH ANOTHER FIGHTER AFTER CANELO SPAT: "HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND"

Turki Alalshikh has made him name well known in the sport of boxing since his relatively recent entry.

Under the Riyadh Season banner, the 43-year-old from Saudi Arabia has helped stage such fights as Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou and, most recently, Terence Crawford’s successful bid at a world title in a fourth weight class against Israil Madrimov.

That Crawford card was Alalshikh’s first effort outside of Saudi, taking the show on the road to Los Angeles. One fighter who was meant to feature on the entertaining undercard was former WBO Super-Welterweight Champion, Tim Tszyu.

Tszyu was upgraded from interim to full champion last year and defended the belt successfully against Brian Mendoza. He suffered a nasty cut in his second outing as champion against Sebastian Fundora and lost on the cards.

He was set to bounce back in a big way by facing Vergil Ortiz on the Riyadh Season LA card, though doctors ruled it was too early for him to spar after the Fundora cut and it was canned.

Alalshikh was asked by Fight Hub TV if Tszyu, now fit, was in his plans for the future, but has answer was a stark no.

“I will not work with Tim Tszyu. Let him [do it] his way. He doesn’t understand.”

Tszyu is slated to return to the ring against unbeaten Russian and IBF Champion Bakhram Murtazaliev, though nothing has been made official yet.

Ortiz instead faced Serhii Bohachuk this weekend, winning the WBC Interim belt on points after a fight of the year contender. Alalshikh said the fight could have been called a draw and encouraged a rematch.

His decision on Tszyu comes just days after he entered into a public spat with unified super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, claiming the elite Mexican fighter no longer wants to challenge himself in the ring. In this more recent interview, he said they may work together down the line if Canelo was ‘wise.’

- Kerr Furgoson 

TIM TSZYU GETS BOXING WORLD TITLE SHOT AGAINST RUSSIAN

Tim Tszyu connects with a punch on Sebastian Fundora. Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images

 Tim Tszyu says he feels blessed after securing the chance to become a two-time world boxing champion.

The International Boxing Federation has officially ordered super-welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev to defend his world title against the Australian son of a gun.

Tszyu is the highest-ranked contender with the IBF and a former WBO world champion, while the Russian is undefeated with 16 knockouts from 22 professional fights.

The 29-year-old only relinquished his WBO strap in March with a cruel loss to American Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas.

Tszyu had been unbeaten and won the opening two rounds before suffering a ghastly head gash after catching Fundora's elbow and ultimately losing a split decision.

Negotiations between Tszyu's promoters No Limit Boxing and Murtazaliev's team will now commence to set a date and location for the event.

While Murtazaliev (22-0, 16KO) is pushing for the fight to be staged in the US, Team Tszyu want the blockbuster in Australia.

Either way, Tszyu (24-1, 17 KO) can't wait for another crack to join his legendary father Kostya as a multiple world champion.

"Of course I'd love the world title to be in Australia and to be fighting in front of home fans but, look, it doesn't bother me. I'll fight anywhere," he said.

"I'm blessed to be in this position again and fighting for another world title. It's amazing. It's time to become a two-time world champ."

Tszyu hopes the opportunity puts him back on the path to becoming a unified world champion.

"Good things comes to those who wait," he said.

"(Murtazaliev) is a world champion for a reason, and in this level you've just got to take them all out one by one," he said.

"And they all will fall so I'm looking forward to this challenge wherever it is. It's been a long time coming.

"The first time me and Bakrham were discussed was before the Tony Harrison fight (in 2023), straight after the (Jermell) Charlo withdrawal, so I knew I about him along time ago.

"I've had my eyes on him and it's good that he's got the title now and been mandated so he can't be hiding anymore.

"Being a shot caller again and controlling the narrative, that's what you get with being a world champion. It's my second opportunity to get back to where I belong and to control the narrative and to choose my shots."

Tsyzu is currently based in Las Vegas, training with UFC fighters.

"They've been so strict down there. I've become big on the one-percenters with everything to do with my life so you'll see that on fight night," the Sydney slayer said.

""And when I come out you'll see the difference in everything between me and Bakhram."

- AAP

REMATCH WITH TSZYU OR FIGHT WITH SPENCE? FUNDORA HAS MANY OPTIONS

Tim Tszyu, left, suffered a cut in Round 2 and lost a split decision to Sebastian Fundora on Saturday. Esther Lin/PBC

 Sebastian Fundora, blood still sprayed all over his long torso, soaked in the biggest victory of his career when Errol Spence Jr. stepped through the ropes.

Fundora, the 6-foot-5 ½, 154-pound "Towering Inferno," just pulled off the upset with a split-decision win over Australian star Tim Tszyu to capture two junior middleweight titles on Saturday in Las Vegas inside T-Mobile Arena.

It's a fight Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) wasn't even a part of until 11 days out, when he received the call to replace Keith Thurman, who ruptured his biceps.

Fundora, 26, broke his nose in the opening round and lost the first two on all three scorecards. But when Tszyu leaned over to attack toward the end of Round 2, he collided with Fundora's left elbow, suffering a big cut on his hairline that didn't stop bleeding.

It's no accident Spence was ringside and immediately thrust into the ring just two months after he underwent cataract surgery. Clearly, there were at least plans in place for Spence to fight the winner. All three boxers fight under the PBC banner.

And if it's not going to be Tszyu, it should be Terence Crawford who receives the first crack at Fundora. As the WBO's "super" champion at 147 pounds, Crawford was able to position himself for a mandatory shot at a new weight, and it's expected the fight with Fundora will be ordered this week.

Fundora now owns two belts, and if he wants to fight Spence, he can vacate the WBO strap and still defend the WBC title.

"It's time to get it on," Spence said. "He gotta face the big dog now. ... He got a pretty good height, but we'll see. We'll break him down like we always do."

Elsewhere at 154 pounds, there's Uzbek Israil Madrimov, who won the WBA title last month with a TKO victory over Magomed Kurbanov. Madrimov, between his athleticism and power, appears to be a formidable fighter.

Vergil Ortiz Jr., too, now resides at 154 pounds. He'll fight for the second time at junior middleweight April 27 vs. Thomas Dulorme. There's also the IBF title, whose vacancy will be filled by a Jack Culcay-Bakhram Murtazaliev fight on April 7 in Germany.

Jermell Charlo remains ESPN's No. 1 boxer at 154 pounds -- for now -- but he's no longer the undisputed champion. In fact, he has yet to compete at junior middleweight since he defeated Brian Castano in a May 2022 rematch.

As Tszyu said, Fundora is the "new king of 154," a shocking development after he was KOed by Brian Mendoza in an upset last year. And if everything plays out as it should, Tszyu will land his deserved rematch next. Just don't count on it. -- Mike Coppinger

Pitbull adds new dimension to stacked 140-pound division

As Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz said in the ring following his dominant beatdown of Rolando Romero Saturday night, he is now a player at 140 pounds.

Or did you miss the WBA junior welterweight belt he took from Romero with his eighth-round stoppage?

"There is going to be a Mexican champ at 140 pounds for a long time," said Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs), of Mexico City.

Might there be a unified champ at the weight class? Should that be Cruz's next goal?

Teofimo Lopez holds the title for the WBO, while Devin Haney holds the WBC strap. A fight with Subriel Matias, the IBF's champ, could be a great matchup that could tap into the rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Plus, it's a division boasting the likes of Ryan Garcia, Lopez, Regis Prograis and Jose Ramirez.

Then there's the matter of Gervonta Davis, the WBA's lightweight champ. "Tank" handed Cruz his most recent defeat five fights ago, by unanimous decision, on Dec 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. That was for the WBA's "regular" lightweight title.

"I don't have anything to say to Gervonta, really," Cruz said. "He can [say] whatever he wants, but we silenced the doubters tonight. If he isn't scared, let's go for the rematch."

And of Garcia, who has his own fight with Haney upcoming?

"Ryan Garcia can say whatever he wants," Cruz said. "I'll make him eat all the trash he talks, just like I did with Rolly."

After Cruz's performance against Romero, he's in position to create his own immediate path.

"I'm very happy and humbled to win this title for my family and for Mexico," he said. "I was prepared for this. I wasn't here to just fight; I was here to terminate him. I did my talking right here in the ring.

"Damn, it feels good to be a world champion." -- Paul Gutierrez

"Boom, you're blinded completely," said Tszyu, the son of Hall of Fame boxer Kostya Tszyu. "This is boxing and this is part of the sport. Congratulations to Fundora, he's the new king of 154."by

As the new ruler of the junior middleweight division, Fundora will have bountiful, lucrative options. The fight that makes the most logical sense is an immediate rematch with Tszyu.

After all, it was a close fight, and Tszyu faced trying circumstances with a gruesome cut that spooled blood into his eyes for the duration of the fight. It was also a thrilling fight, one that desperately calls for a return bout.

Tszyu was forced to adjust to Fundora, a far different opponent than Thurman, on 11 days' notice. Fundora, meanwhile, was preparing for Serhii Bohachuk, a fighter who owns a style and frame similar to Tszyu's.

Tszyu gave Fundora a shot at his title and deserves a chance to exact revenge. It's also what the fans called for on social media after the bout. But this is boxing, and as in life, fairness has nothing to do with it.

- Mike Coppinger Paul Gutierrez

OUT OF THE SHADOWS: EVEN AS A CHAMP, TIM TSZYU TRYING TO SET HIS OWN COURSE

Tim Tszyu, above, defends his WBO junior middleweight world title against Sebastian Fundora Saturday night in Las Vegas. Mark Evans/Getty Images

 LAS VEGAS -- Tim Tszyu shadowboxes at the Split T Boxing Club just off The Strip on a Friday morning in February, seven weeks before his name flashes all over the marquee in the fight capital of the world.

That Tszyu surname is a well-known commodity to fight fans, of course. His father, Kostya, is a Hall of Famer, but these days it's Tim who is charting his own path in boxing to prove he's far more than simply the son of a legend.

There's a striking resemblance to Kostya, the explosive puncher who tore through the junior welterweight division throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. And as Tim Tszyu hits the heavy bag on this day, he's guided by the same coach who trained his father in the Soviet school of boxing. Igor Goloubevk is Tim's uncle and Kostya's brother-in-law, a man who helped develop Tim's fierce discipline as a child running the dunes in Australia.

If Tim grew to prominence in Australia years ago due to his familiar name, he's since shown he's a serious fighter worth keeping an eye on all his own. The aggressive pursuit of his opponents both inside and outside the ring. The confident demeanor. The way he strings together combinations seamlessly. The power.

It was all on display last year in his breakthrough campaign that began with a ninth-round TKO win over Tony Harrison and ended in October with a decision victory over Brian Mendoza.

With each fight that passes, Tszyu appears to improve just a little bit more and inch just a bit closer to his goal of genuine stardom the world over. The opportunity to add a recognizable name like Keith Thurman to his resume -- and a victory no doubt -- would have bolstered his credentials.

However, Thurman suffered a biceps injury and was forced to withdraw. In his place steps Sebastian Fundora, a 6-foot-5½, 154-pounder with a vastly different frame and style from the one Tszyu was preparing for.

Fight cancellations aren't anything new to Tszyu. The 29-year-old (24-0, 17 KOs) was set to challenge for the undisputed junior middleweight championship last January before Jermell Charlo suffered a hand injury. That fight being scrapped was a disappointment, but it afforded Tszyu the opportunity to continue to build his own brand, displaying his fighting spirit by staying active against tough opposition rather than waiting for the champion to heal.

After Thurman's withdrawal, delaying his career longer wasn't an option. Taking this fight on 11 days' notice, Tszyu is primed to establish himself as a star, beginning with his first major fight in the U.S. for the WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles. He'll headline PBC's inaugural PPV on Prime Video (8 p.m. ET).

"It's a great launching pad," Tszyu tells ESPN. "It's a big [Las Vegas] debut, T-Mobile Arena. For me, it's always been a big dream of mine, but the possibilities after this are endless. The sky's the limit. The super fights are waiting, and that's what I've been wanting my whole life."

Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, left, with his son Tim Tszyu, who's defending his 154-pound title against Sebastian Fundora on Saturday. Jenny Evans/Getty Images

TSZYU HAS BEEN surrounded by boxing for as long as he can remember. He was born in Sydney, Australia, in November 1994, two months before Kostya challenged for his first world title, a sixth-round TKO victory over Jake Rodriguez in Las Vegas to become the IBF junior welterweight champion.

The elder Tszyu defeated Roger Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather's uncle and longtime trainer, in his first defense back in Australia and went on to star in the division as a pound-for-pound boxer until his final fight in 2005, when he was stopped by Ricky Hatton in Manchester, England.

""I want to be a throwback fighter, man. Just keep it old school. I look up to those guys that actually fought in the ring a lot of the times.... I still remember [Juan Manuel] Marquez, [Manny] Pacquiao, [Erik] Morales, [Marco Antonio] Barrera, [Marvin] Hagler, Tommy [Hearns]. These are the types of things that you don't forget. And I want to be one of those types of things that you don't forget."

All the indelible moments, from Las Vegas to England, from the stoppage victory over the great Julio Cesar Chavez and the second-round TKO over Zab Judah, left a big impression on Tim. He was six for the Chavez bout in Phoenix and seven for the Judah bout in Vegas, an infamous fight for Judah's stool toss and intimidation of referee Jay Nady.

"Sunday daytime was just -- I remember the Roy Joneses, and I remember just when they used to walk out and I used to just visualize even at a really young age, six, seven -- it's crazy to think that I still got the memories of that," says Tszyu, ESPN's No. 2 junior middleweight. "And then we'd go in the backyard and me and my brother [8-0 junior middleweight Nikita] would punch on, or me and my cousin would punch on and there'd be blood and broken teeth and broken noses, even at a young age. So I think the dream started then, and it's led to where I'm at now."

AS TIM CONTINUED to thrive as a young boxer, there was one man who was not actually literally in his corner -- his father. Sure, he had his father's support as he pursued the sport, but from a training standpoint, it was Igor who took the lead.

"I feel like a lot of the times dad would suffocate the kids, and I know that if my dad was in my corner, he would be suffocating," says Tszyu, whose father was born in the Soviet Union. "My dad lives in Russia, I live in Australia. He's never really been my coach, but we keep our relationship as just father and son rather than trainer and student. It's a conflict of interest. It's one thing being a trainer, one thing's being a father."

The father-son, trainer-coach dynamic is common in boxing but can come with serious issues and a fractured relationship. Kostya, Tim says, gives him advice, "but he usually says the same thing. It's quite generic. He just tells me 'don't get hit.' Yeah, that's the biggest pointer."

Tim Tszyu, left, and his trainer/uncle, Igor Goloubevk, at the Split T Boxing Club in Las Vegas. ESPN

Tszyu recalls cold showers each morning at age seven and 48-hour fasting challenges at that age, too, practices from his father, which he says he's maintained ever since.

"He grew up in Soviet Russia where the mentality is different," Tszyu says of his father. "Now I'm jumping in the pool every morning. I don't want to do it, but I still do it just because of the fact that every day has to be some sort of challenge. Something has to be difficult and there's no silver spoon here."

Kostya Tszyu competed five times in Las Vegas, but he won't be ringside Saturday for his son's Sin City debut. In fact, Tim's father has attended only one of his pro fights in person: his professional debut in December 2016 in Sydney. When Tszyu was asked if he was happy with his relationship with his father, Tim simply said "for sure."

The elder Tszyu and his family moved back to Moscow in 2008, but they later returned to Sydney. Four years later, Kostya Tszyu relocated full time to Russia and is now remarried with two children. He owns and operates a restaurant in Russia's capital.

"He's the man," Kostya told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2023. "He has proven to the world, to all the people that never believed in him, that believed it was only his name. I'm proud of it."

Tszyu's own rise in the fight game has far more to do with hard work and dedication than his last name, but his father still impacted his character in ways that continue to pay dividends.

"Discipline the same way [as his father]," says Goloubev, who began working with Kostya in 1997. "Always on time. ... Really disciplined and hard worker. Exactly the same. ... Vegas, it's mother of boxing. That's it. We're here ... now we just have to be the best."

Tim Tszyu, right, fought three times in 2023 -- three victories -- including a unanimous decision over Brian Mendoza in October. Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

TSZYU WAS WEEKS away from a career-defining showdown in Dec. 2022, a shot at Charlo and his undisputed junior middleweight championship. Then came the news on Christmas Eve -- Charlo suffered a broken left hand and the fight was canceled.

A choice laid before Tszyu: maintain his mandatory position with the WBO and wait for Charlo to recover, or look for another fight. Waiting is the route most boxers likely would have selected in today's risk-averse era, where fighters often compete once every 12 months. Especially boxers who are major draws like Tszyu is in Australia.

Only Tszyu had other ideas. Instead, he decided to fight former champion Tony Harrison -- a boxer who owned a win over Charlo -- and put his title shot on the line. Many observers thought it was a mistake to fight a legitimate, slick-boxing opponent rather than wait for Charlo and the career-high payday.

- Mike Coppinger, ESPN

A GUIDE TO THE NEW YEAR: FIVE FIGHTERS TO WATCH IN 2024

Jaron Ennis, right, could be fighting top opponents now that he has the IBF welterweight world title. Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Boxing's pound-for-pound best delivered some worthy performances in 2023.

Artur Beterbiev kicked off the campaign by keeping his perfect KO ratio intact with a thrilling TKO defeat of Anthony Yarde to retain three light heavyweight titles.

Three months later, a well-placed body shot by Gervonta Davis stopped Ryan Garcia in the year's biggest commercial fight. In July, Naoya Inoue dominated Stephen Fulton in his 122-pound debut and displayed his generational talent, before unifying titles to become undisputed champion in a second division with another impressive KO win over Marlon Tapales on Dec. 26.

And Devin Haney won every round and even dropped Regis Prograis to become a two-division champ on Dec. 9.

The best performance of all, of course, belonged to Terence Crawford, who dismantled Errol Spence Jr., in a tour de force victory to cement welterweight supremacy.

But what about all the fighters that sit just outside ESPN's pound-for-pound top 10? There are many boxers with a genuine opportunity to inch closer to that recognition in 2024.

Here are five such boxers we believe are appointment viewing in 2024 (in no particular order):

TIM TSZYU COULD FACE ERROL SPENCE, TERENCE CRAWFORD OR CANELO ALVAREZ

No Limit Boxing 

A potential big-money, career-defining fight could be on the cards for Tim Tszyu if the recently elevated WBO junior middleweight champion is able to overcome Brian Mendoza this weekend on the Gold Coast.

Tszyu (23-0, 17KOs) will return to the scene of his June demolition of Carlos Ocampo, where he showcased power, precision and efficiency before flooring the Mexican after just 77 seconds. The dominant performance was expected to finally land Tszyu a highly-anticipated fight against Jermell Charlo for the American's quartet of belts at 154 pounds.

"He's the man, I'll give him that, and I'm just under," Tszyu said of Charlo after his win over Ocampo. "I've got this interim belt, but I'm not satisfied. It's not just the belts, I want the name Charlo on my wrist."

Tszyu and Charlo had initially been slated to fight in January, but those plans were scuppered when Charlo suffered a broken left hand during training camp. By mid-year, the WBO had mandated Charlo to fight Tszyu before September 30, but the bout again failed to eventuate with Charlo instead opting to face Canelo Alvarez at supermiddleweight - a fight he would ultimately lose via a lopsided decision.

The WBO has since promoted Tszyu from interim champion to regular champion and this weekend he will defend that strap and title for the first time. There already appears to be plenty at stake for the Australian.

ALVAREZ TO FIGHT CHARLO IN LAS VEGAS IN SEPTEMBER

Reuters 

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez will take on undisputed light middleweight champion Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas on Sept. 30, the super middleweight champion announced on social media on Friday.

TIM TSZYU, SON OF KONSTANTINE BORISOVIC "KOSTYA" TSZYU, DEMOLISHES OPPONENT