Tim Bradley believes that the upcoming fight between WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora could potentially lead to stardom for the victorious fighter. He sees this fight as a stepping stone that could ultimately set up the winner for a bout against pound-for-pound fighter Terence Crawford in the fall. Bradley views this match as a significant moment, a chance for one of these fighters to break through and establish themselves as a top contender in the boxing world.
Bradley criticizes Premier Boxing Champions for the handling of this event, especially in light of Keith Thurman’s injury forcing him to withdraw from the fight. PBC took a risk by selecting Thurman, a veteran fighter who has been relatively inactive in recent years. The undercard is also underwhelming, featuring matchups that Bradley believes do not belong on a pay-per-view event. The $70 price tag may further deter fans from tuning in, considering the lack of star power in the main and co-main events.
According to Bradley, the real prize in this fight is the opportunity to face Terence Crawford in the future. The winner of the Tszyu vs. Fundora bout will potentially position themselves for a shot at Crawford, a fighter who has been garnering attention for his impressive performances and knockout streak. However, Bradley acknowledges that American fans may prefer to see Crawford face Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, a rising star in the sport, rather than the winner of this weekend’s fight.
While Bradley believes that beating Crawford could elevate either Tszyu or Fundora to star status, he also raises doubts about the legitimacy of such a victory. Crawford, at 36 years old, has never competed at the junior middleweight level and has faced criticism for facing subpar competition. A win over Crawford may not carry the same weight as defeating a younger, more established opponent in the eyes of boxing fans and analysts.
The Tszyu vs. Fundora fight marks the debut of PBC on Amazon Prime, a new platform for the promotion company to reach a wider audience. Bradley describes this event as a “soft opening,” suggesting that it may not generate record-breaking pay-per-view numbers due to the lack of marquee names on the card. He emphasizes the importance of having star power to drive interest and viewership, highlighting the absence of fighters like Gervonta Davis or Canelo Alvarez on the lineup.
Tim Bradley’s analysis of the Tszyu vs. Fundora fight offers valuable insights into the dynamics of the boxing world. While there is potential for the winner of this match to secure a high-profile bout against Terence Crawford, there are also concerns about the credibility of such a victory and the overall appeal of the event. It remains to be seen how this fight will play out and what implications it will have for the future of the sport.