So here’s the scoop, or maybe just the word on the street, about this boxing world kerfuffle. Sebastian Fundora, our two-time champ at junior middleweight, seems to be dodging a big event. I mean, there’s this whole purse bid happening Friday for him to go up against Xander Zayas, who apparently is the big deal according to the WBO. Sounds intense, right?
Nope, not for Fundora (record’s 21-1-1, just saying). He’s ditching that scene for a rematch with Tim Tszyu. Mark your calendars for July 19th, maybe. They’re talking about Las Vegas, like where dreams happen. Or fall apart. Whatever.
Meanwhile, our top dude from Top Rank, Zayas (not to be mixed up with a killer puncher), is going to be squaring off against Jorge Garcia Perez. Sort of a big deal, this match, because it’s for that number one belt, the WBO junior middleweight prize. Now, Zayas has his chance to shine, maybe. Top Rank’s trying to mold him into a star over on the East Coast. Funny, right? They think he lacks power. Like trying to make a spicy dish with no pepper. You get it.
Let’s talk about Fundora’s strategy shift. Lance Pugmire, bless his heart, broke the story. Fundora, 27 years young, probably did the math. Fighting Tszyu again means more cash. Everybody loves a rematch, especially from an Australian PPV gig which apparently brings in the bucks. Tszyu’s popular, if that wasn’t clear. And Zayas, you ask? Well, he doesn’t quite pull those pay-per-view numbers. Yet, maybe. Who can predict these things?
Here’s a twist for you. Fundora kinda left a mark last time they met, literally. Tim ended up with a forehead cut thanks to an accidental elbow—makes me cringe thinking about it—and that changed the whole fight. I mean, the guy could barely see, still kept swinging. But before all that, Tim was kinda scorching Fundora with his power shots. Those hurt.
Back to the Zayas-Perez showdown. It’s no cakewalk for Zayas, given Perez’s record (33-4, for all the numbers people). He delivers punches in combo-style. Kind of shook up everyone when he toppled Charles Conwell not long ago. And this Perez dude? All punch, less pause. Meanwhile, Zayas? More of a dance around and not-get-hit type. You know the kind.
Top Rank’s been carefully guiding Zayas up the ranks. Every match planned, like they’re playing chess with these careers. Or maybe it’s more like Jenga—one wrong move and boom, it’s over.
Is Zayas any good? Hard to say when he hasn’t faced anyone surprising or scary. He’s 21-0, which sounds neat, but then again, it’s all about who you face off against. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
And that’s it. Or maybe there’s more. Check the calendar, follow the fighters, and see how this all rolls out. Boxing, man—it’s something else, right?
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There you go, a mess of a tale from the world of boxing.
