Tszyu vs Ortiz Rematch Off Due to Injury Concerns
The much-anticipated clash between former junior middleweight titleholder Tim Tszyu and undefeated contender Vergil Ortiz has been called off. Scheduled for August 3, the fight has been shelved due to Tszyu’s ongoing recovery from a severe cut suffered earlier this year. Boxing reporter Dan Rafael, citing an anonymous source, confirmed the unfortunate news.
Lingering Damage from Fundora Fight
The reason behind the cancellation stems from the significant injury Tszyu sustained during his bout with Sebastian Fundora. Rafael explained, “Doc ruled him out due to terrible cut suffered vs. Fundora not being healed enough for him to fight.” The cut, which Tszyu received on March 30, remains a critical concern for the medical team, ultimately leading to this decision.
High-Stakes Event in Los Angeles
Tszyu vs Ortiz was to be a highlight on the undercard of a high-profile event in Los Angeles, financially backed by Saudi royal adviser Turki Alalshikh. The headline fight features Terence Crawford challenging junior middleweight titleholder Israil Madrimov. The event boasts other notable matchups, including David Morrell vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic in a light heavyweight bout, Isaac Cruz defending his junior welterweight title against Jose Valenzuela, and a heavyweight contest between Andy Ruiz and Jarrell Miller.
Per source, Tim Tszyu has been forced to withdraw from his Aug. 3 fight vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr. on the #CrawfordMadrimov mega card being put on by @Turki_alalshikh in LA. Doc ruled him out due to terrible cut suffered vs. Fundora not being healed enough for him to fight. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 31, 2024
The Expected Action-Filled Fight
Boxing enthusiasts were eagerly anticipating the Tszyu vs Ortiz showdown. Despite the excitement, the match’s inclusion on the card surprised many, given the severity and recency of Tszyu’s injury. The cut was inflicted during a tense battle with Fundora, who stepped in as a late replacement for Keith Thurman.
The Impact of the Injury
The injury occurred towards the end of the second round. Tszyu, attempting to dodge a right hook from Fundora, missed with a left hook and inadvertently moved forward. Against an opponent of similar height, Tszyu might have collided with their head or gloves. Instead, he ran into the 6-foot-6 Fundora’s left elbow, causing a large gash above his hairline. The injury streamed blood down Tszyu’s face, severely impairing his vision and performance.
Despite the injury, Tszyu’s team did not stop the fight before the fourth round concluded. This decision meant that if the bout ended due to the injury, it would go to the scorecards instead of being declared a “no decision.” Unfortunately, Tszyu fell behind on the scorecards, eventually losing by split decision and marking his first career loss, bringing his record to 24-1 (17 KOs).
Future Uncertain for Ortiz
As of now, there has been no announcement regarding Ortiz’s future on the card. Ortiz, holding an impressive record of 21-0 (21 KOs), remains one of the sport’s rising stars. Whether he will remain on the show and face a different opponent or if the event will proceed without him is still uncertain.
The cancellation of Tszyu vs Ortiz is a significant disappointment for boxing fans who were looking forward to an electrifying contest. As Tszyu continues his recovery, the boxing community remains hopeful for a future date when these two fighters can finally meet in the ring.
