The only reason questions remain about Tim Tszyu's boxing ability is because he's yet to face an elite opponent in his prime. Tszyu, who on Saturday fights Sebastian Fundora at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the WBC-WBO super welterweight titles, is 24-0 with 17 KOs. But he has yet to handle someone who is elite and in his prime.
His best win was probably a 12-round decision over Brian Mendoza on Oct. 15, when he won at least eight rounds on all three judges' cards. Mendoza knocked Fundora out in Fundora's last outing, on April 8, 2023.
The Tszyu-Fundora fight is a better stylistic matchup than the original bout that was supposed to headline the Premier Boxing Champions' debut card with Amazon Prime Video, Tszyu versus Keith Thurman. The bout is available for purchase on PPV.com.
Fundora is an offensive fighter who throws a lot of punches, so there will no doubt be a lot of back and forth.
Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, the one-time undisputed super lightweight champion, is a -525 favorite at DraftKings sports book to defeat Fundora. Fundora is +370. The over-under is 71/2 full rounds. It is -115 either way.
Tszyu will face a nine-inch height disadvantage and a 10-inch reach disadvantage. He'll clearly have to slip the jab and get inside where he can take advantage of Fundora's vulnerable midsection. And Tszyu is good at varying his attack, and he goes up and down, so he could set himself up for a dramatic finish if he's able to fight at the distance he needs.
That's why I like him to win by KO/TKO. He's -250 to win by KO/TKO at DraftKings and it's probably the best board on the board. I think it will take him some time to get his bearings against Fundora, who is not only incredibly tall and rangy but is also a southpaw. It's going to take him time to figure that out.
Plus, Fundora is a quality opponent that Tszyu won't simply be able to run over. He's going to have to take his time and break him down. It's why I think it's going to be a long fight, and I tend the favor the over, though I'm not going to make that a play.
I'm going to lay the -250 and take Tszyu to win by KO/TKO because I think he's a smart fighter and varies his attack enough to cause Fundora defensive problems. I see a stoppage around nine or 10, but I am going to avoid playing the over-under.
Romero-Cruz match a fascinating one
Rolando Romero will take on Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz in the co-main event in what will be a fascinating match. Cruz isn't a big hitter, but he throws in volume and Romero is there to be hit. Romero, though, is a big puncher, and is quicker than Cruz.
Cruz has a good chin and is the far better defensive fighter. I think Cruz is the smarter fighter, as well
The line, though, seems out of whack to me. At BetMGM, Crazy is -275 and Romero is +188. At DraftKings, Cruz is -300 and Romero is +230.
I think this fight is more of an 8-5 or 9-5 fight favoring Cruz, but I think the value is too good here on Romero. So I'll play Romero at DraftKings to win at +230.
Women's fight a competitive battle
Seniesa Estrada and Yokasta Valle will meet Friday in Glendale, Ariz., for the undisputed minimumweight title. Estrada is a -175 favorite at BetMGM, with Valle at +125. At DraftKings, Estrada is -195 and Valle is +155.
This is the biggest fight of their careers, but I think Estrada is the choice here. She's got the better pedigree and has a more diverse skillset.
It's going to be a dogfight at times, but I will lay the 175 and take Estrada to win.
Picks recap
• Lay -250 on Tsyzu to win by KO/TKO over Fundora
• Take +230 on Romero to win over Cruz
• Lay -175 on Estrada to win over Valle