Tim Tszyu vs Sebastian Fundora Tips: Boxing Preview & Predictions

Two world titles are on the line in a blockbuster card in Las Vegas on Sunday headlined by Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao who faces WBC Welterweight world champion Mario Barrios. While in the co-main Aussie Tim Tszyu takes on Sebastian Fundora in their highly-anticipated rematch with the grand prize of the WBC Super Welterweight world title. 

Ben Talintyre previews both fights and brings you his best bets below. And if you're keen to tail his tips, be sure to do so at Neds!

Mario Barrios vs. Manny Pacquiao Prediction & Tip

Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring for the first time in almost four years and faces an enormous challenge of dethroning WBC Welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Pacquiao, 46, is boxing's only eight-division champion but he comes into this weekend’s fight as the underdog, and for good reason.  

The boxing legend has not won a professional fight in almost six years and is returning simply because he loves the sport. But his patented speed, cardio and movement are all heavily diminished at his age. In his last fight against Yordenis Ugas in 2021, Pacquiao lacked the footwork and explosiveness he is best known for as he was beaten by decision. In the last five years of his career, Pacquiao’s volume and damage numbers have been drastically down. For example, he threw 10 fewer punches and landed seven fewer per round in his last fight than he averaged in his prime boxing years. 

Now we get to Barrios who would have been a stylistic nightmare for Pacquiao in his prime let alone at 46 years old. Barrios has won his last four bouts and is the current WBC welterweight champion, claiming the title by beating Ugas in 2023. In his most recent fight in November, Barrios and Abel Ramos ended in a split draw.  

But why is he a nightmare for the boxing legend? For starters at 6 feet tall and with a huge reach advantage, those who lack speed or power are going to have a hard time getting to him. Barrios is simply going to hit the older and smaller Pacquiao at will and is not going to be there to be countered. The question isn’t who wins but rather how the champ retains his belt? 

I am a little surprised Barrios is favoured to stop the boxing great. Pacquiao hasn’t been stopped since 2012 and while I believe Barrios wins comfortably, I will lean to it being by decision with over $3 great value.  

Sebastian Fundora vs. Tim Tszyu Prediction & Tip

Fundora vs. Tszyu is a rematch for the WBC super-welterweight title. Fundora scored a controversial split decision win over the Australian in the pair’s first fight in an epic bloodbath, which saw Tszyu badly cut open.  In the end, Fundora did enough to get his hand raised albeit just. 

While Fundora kicked on and has won again since, defeating the promising Chordale Booker with a fourth-round TKO, Tszyu faltered. The Aussie was completely dismantled by Bakhram Murtazaliev after his loss to Fundora. The champ knocked Tszyu down four times before the Aussie’s corner wisely threw in the towel to stop the one-sided beat down, in the third round. 

Tszyu has bounced back from the back-to-back defeats by stopping Joseph Spencer via a fourth-round TKO in his last fight. He now has his eyes set on revenge, but will have to overcome the lofty nine-inch height and almost 10-inch reach disadvantage. 

But I believe Tszyu gets it done in the rematch. He was a large favourite going into their first fight and Fundora’s unorthodox style seemed to catch him by surprise. Having seen and felt his opponent before I believe the Aussie can handle business this time, likely stopping him in the latter rounds.  

The fact that Sebastian could have fought WBO mandatory challenger Xander Zayas, but relinquished the WBO belt to fight Tszyu shows he is confident of proving he is the better man but I see him coming up short. Back Tszyu to win with confidence to get his hand raised and sprinkle a bit extra on him doing so by late-round stoppage.