Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora Tips from Rob Tebbutt

Our resident boxing expert Rob Tebbutt shares his tips ahead of this Saturday's bout between Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora for the WBO and WBC World Light Middleweight Title.

Rob also gives his tips for the co-main event, which sees Rolando "Rolly" Romero go against Isaac Cruz Gonzalez for the WBA super lightweight title.

• Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora tips & pick
• Rolly Romero vs. Isaac Cruz tips & pick

Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora Tips

This, of course, is a late replacement for Tim Tszyu after the withdrawal of Keith Thurman about a week and a half ago, and I think this is a much more dangerous fight for the Australian champion.

Sebastian Fundora was knocked out in his last bout by Brian Mendoza who subsequently did lose to Tszyu, but as we know in boxing, triangle theories don’t always work. Just because you lost to one doesn’t mean you’re going to lose to the other.

I do think that Fundora, at 6-foot-6 as a southpaw, is quite a different proposition for Tszyu compared to Thurman.

Having said that, Tszyu is rightfully a sizeable -500 favorite to get the win against Fundora, who is +350 to win the fight on Saturday night.

I think there are some value plays here if you’re looking to bet Tszyu. I don’t really like the price of -500 to emerge victorious, but I do think the price of him to win by decision or technical decision at +450 does represent good value.

Tszyu has gone the distance in three of his last five fights including last time out going 12 rounds with Mendoza.

I do think that Fundora will be dangerous enough that will make Tszyu just have a little look at the 6-foot-6 giant in front of him before picking up the rounds and picking up the pace as the fight goes on.

If you are looking to be Tszyu by stoppage, then I do like Tszyu in the second half of the fight. He generally does start off a little bit slower before building momentum as the fight plays out. You can get +210 on Tszyu to win between round 7 and 12.

If you are looking to bet the underdog here in Fundora, there is plenty of value. It’s +350 for Fundora to win via any method. I do think that he is a live dog in this bout.

Rob Tebbutt's Pick

Tim Tszyu by Decision or Technical Decision +450

Rolly Romero vs. Isaac Cruz Tips

Rolando “Rolly” Romero defends his WBA World super lightweight title against Isaac Cruz Gonzalez this Saturday in Las Vegas. Cruz is the favorite at -280 while champion Romero is the +215 underdog.

This is a very interesting fight as these are two fighters who love to come forward, love to throw hands, and they have both faced – and lost to – Gervonta Davis. Romero was knocked out in the sixth round by Davis, while Cruz went the distance but lost via unanimous decision.

Cruz did not look great in his last fight, a victory via decision against Giovanni Cabrera in July 2023. I thought he was very poor that night before his decision win. This is the first time we will see Romero in action since a controversial TKO victory over Ismael Barroso in May 2023, a fight in which Romero was dropped before the referee’s stoppage helped him get the win.

I expect Cruz, who has plenty of power, to have an advantage here thanks to Romero’s wide-open style. Romero is not a defensive fighter – he has been hurt and hit the canvas in recent fights.

As a result, I’m backing Cruz to win via stoppage at -120. If you’re looking for more value, consider taking Cruz to win via KO/TKO in rounds 5-8 at +300 since he will likely use the first few rounds to get a feel for his opponent.

Rob Tebbutt's pick

Isaac Cruz Gonzalez by KO, TKO or Disqualification -120

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.