Tszyu's new opponent locked in after cancellation drama as stakes ...

Aussie champ Tim Tszyu will face American Sebastian Fundora with two world titles on the line next weekend after his planned Las Vegas bout with Keith Thurman had to be cancelled.

Former world champion Thurman pulled out of the March 31 (AEDT) event overnight after suffering a freak injury during a training session. American promoters Premier Boxing Champions on Tuesday confirmed Fundora — who was already fighting on the undercard — would now take on Tszyu in the main event.

BOXING: Tszyu v Fundora & Zerafa v Lara live from Las Vegas | SUN 31 MAR 11AM AEDT | Exclusive to Main Event, order on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription needed.

MEET THE ‘TOWERING INFERNO’: Who is Sebastian Fundora?

Fundora, 26, was due to face Serhii Bohachukmost for the vacant WBC super welterweight title, meaning that belt will now also be on the line along with Tszyu’s WBO title.

The new bout presents a unique challenge for Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs), with Fundora nicknamed the “Towering Inferno” due to his 197cm frame. That’s 22cm taller than Tsyzu and 26cm taller than Thurman.

Fundora’s (20-1-1, 13 KOs) most recent professional fight was a KO loss to Brian Mendoza in April 2023.

Tszyu also last fought Mendoza, but defeated him by unanimous decision when the two clashed on the Gold Coast late last year.

Thurman, 35, was forced to withdraw just 12 days out from the bout after sustaining a biceps injury.

It’s believed that the former unified world champion ruptured a bicep during a sparring session last week, with the injury severe enough to rule him out of the Tsyzu fight.

UPDATED LINE-UP FOR MARCH 31 EVENT

Tszyu vs. Fundora – WBO & Vacant WBC 154-Pound World Titles

Rolando Romero vs. Isaac Cruz – WBA 140-Pound World Title

Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa – WBA 160-Pound World Title

Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Angelino Cordova – WBC 112-Pound World Title

No Limit CEO George Rose said Tszyu was willing to do whatever it took to make sure the event went ahead, including taking on a considerable risk by fighting the unorthodox Fundora at short notice.

“As it stands I think it ends up being a better position anyway ... to be in the position to fight for two belts, it’s a great opportunity for Tim,” Rose said at the weigh-ins for Wednesday’s night’s No Limit show headlined by Danilo Creati vs Marcus Heywood.

“As we’ve always said it’s either big names or belts. We might have lost a big name in Keith Thurman but Sebastian Fundora has been the bogey man in the super middleweight division for such a long time.

“Yeah he lost to Mendoza but he is a hell of a fighter. He was the guy that was being touted as the next king of the super middleweight division. The guy who would take over from Jermell Charlo.

“A guy that tall at that weight .. that’s something that you can’t really prepare for and Tim Tszyu is doing it on 12 days’ notice.

“He’s too big for this division, he’s too tall, he’s too long. He’s a guy nobody should fight and Tim Tszyu is fighting on 12 days notice.

“He’s a guy you should have 12 months prep, 12 weeks prep for. You need a big camp, but Tim Tszyu is doing it on 12 days’ notice.”