The first Premier Boxing Champions event on Amazon Prime wasn’t without incident, and in the main event, late notice replacement Sebastian Fundora became the new WBC and WBO super welterweight champion with a split decision win against Tim Tszyu in a bloodbath in Las Vegas.
Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) was originally set to face Keith Thurman at the T-Mobile Arena, but the former Welterweight world champion pulled out due to injury, leaving Fundora with a massive opportunity. Australia’s Tszyu had been upgraded to full WBO champion in 2023, with his first defence a points win against Brian Mendoza last October. Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) was coming off a loss, knocked out in seven by the aforementioned Mendoza.
It was a bloody battle, which turned for Tszyu in the second round, when his head clashed with Fundora’s elbow, leading to an awful cut opening for the Aussie on his hairline, which left a gaping hole. Fundora wasn’t without damage himself though, as his nose was likely broken, and a bloody mess at the end of the same session.
The urgency became real for Tszyu, who was clearly concerned about the fight being stopped, and he was committing more, but Fundora had the same problem, with his nose pouring with blood, and also through his mouth.
By halfway, Tszyu was having to survive inspections from the doctor, and his head was becoming more and more of a horror show, with Fundora boxing at range for a few rounds that seemed to bank him points.
After a torrid tenth round for both, Fundora utilised his jab in the penultimate round, and both sensed everything was to play for ahead of the last stanza. The two fought to a standstill, the ring a bloody mess as they took their marks for the decision to be announced.
One judge had it 116-112 for Tszyu, but Fundora took the vacant WBC crown, and Tszyu’s WBO strap with scores of 116-112 and 115-113.
Cruz dethrones Romero
Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero (15-2, 13 KOs) was also upset on the bill, as Isaac Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) became the new WBA super lightweight champion with a eighth round stoppage win. Romero was badly rocked as early as the first round, and Cruz piled pressure on.
PITBULL CRUZ JUST STOPPED ROLLY ROMERO š± pic.twitter.com/ZPA3TcBnD3
ā Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) March 31, 2024
Somehow, one judge had Romero ahead at the time of the stoppage, which came when Cruz pinned his man to the ropes, and unleashed an assault which forced the referee’s hand to step in.
Lara rolls back the years against Zerafa
Erislandy Lara (30-3-3, 18 KOs) returned to action after nearly two years away, and he defended his WBA middleweight title with a ruthless second round knockout of Michael Zerafa (31-5, 19 KOs). A massive short left hand had Zerafa robbed of his senses, and the contest was waved off.
ERISLANDY LARA (who turns 41 next month) STOPS MICHAEL ZERAFA! š„
ā Eat Sleep Boxing Repeat (@ESBRBoxing) March 31, 2024
Martinez outguns Cordova
The final world title offering was a thriller, as Julio Cesar Martinez (21-3, 15 KOs) held on to his WBC flyweight title with a majority verdict over Angelino Cordova (18-1-1, 12 KOs). Cordova was down twice in the third round, but battled hard, ultimately the knockdowns proving the difference as Martinez took two tallies of 114-112 on the cards, against a third at 113-113.
Bohachuk dominates Mendoza
Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) claimed the interim WBC super welterweight title, as he went the distance for the first time in clearly outscoring Brian Mendoza (22-4, 16 KOs). The Ukrainian ran out the winner by two scores of 117-111, and a third at 118-110.
PBC prospects shine
In eight rounders, Mirco Cuello (14-0, 11 KOs) took a decision win against Sulaiman Segawa (16-4-1, 6 KOs)Ā at featherweight, and super featherweight prospect Curmel Moton (3-0, 2 KOs) won all eight rounds against Anthony Cuba (7-1-2, 3 KOs).
Curmel Moton sāest imposĆ© par dĆ©cision unanime ce soir face Ć Anthony Cuba.
Crack āļø#Boxing
ā PremiĆØre Reprise (@PremiereReprise) March 30, 2024
At super featherweight, Kaipo Gallegos (4-0-1, 3 KOs) won on the cards over six against Eric Howard (6-2, 1 KO).
Adrian Neaves (1-0, 0 KOs) debuted with a four round points win at super lightweight against Steven Walker (0-2).
