Boxing doesn’t need footy players this weekend as six of the best prepare to enter the ring with high stakes across the board.
The boxing world is preparing for three massive fights over the weekend.
Tim Tszyu is looking to continue his comeback from a disappointing 2024 with his second fight against Sebastian Fundora. Manny Pacquiao is the latest aging fighter to come out of retirement. He will take on WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Finally, Oleksandr Usyk is looking to cement his legacy as a heavyweight legend, taking on an much-improved Daniel Dubois for a second time.
Tim Tszyu v Sebastian Fundora
Tim Tszyu won’t make the same mistake again…
His first fight against Sebastian Fundora started a spiral that almost ended his relevance in boxing outside of Australia. With Keith Thurman pulling out of of the fight 12 days prior, Tszyu elevated Fundora up the card to the main event before losing as a $1.18 favourite. An early cut made things difficult, and it all went down hill from there with another loss to follow.
We can’t take too much out of the result of the first fight. The cut changed everything. Tszyu couldn’t see and looked rushed in wanting to end the fight with his corner unable to stop the bleeding. He landed one on Fundora early before the cut and troubled him throughout despite the blood streaming.
Fundora is an anomaly. The 6’6” southpaw fighting at 188 pounds looks out of place at his size but with a belt around his waist, he’s clearly effective.
He can keep his distance with his range. His lead hand keeps the Tszyu flurries to a minimum. Fundora is so long, that even when Tzsyu is able to get close in an exchange, he can still be caught himself on the way out. His ability to set the tempo with his lead hand could well determine the outcome of this fight.
It’s one of redemption for Tszyu. He’s taken a backwards step since beating Brian Mendoza in 2023. However, by getting one back on Fundora, he can reclaim his status in the division and his reputation outside of the vacuum down under.
Given the success Tszyu had under duress in the first fight and Fundora’s relative lack of knockout power, this one looks set to go the distance.
Bet Now Tim Tszyu - Points Or Decision @ $3.70Manny Pacquiao v Mario Barrios
Love it or hate it, Manny Pacquiao is still a draw in 2025. The 46-year-old is coming out of retirement to fight for the WBC welterweight title. Although, he’s a $3.40 outsider to beat the much-younger Mario Barrios.
Mario Barrios on the criticism around Manny Pacquiao getting a WBC welterweight title shot:
"I can understand it, but I think everything that Manny has given to the sport of boxing, I think he's one of those legendary type of fighters where he can do that. But I mean, yeah, I… pic.twitter.com/4V3sV8ZXdx
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 15, 2025
Pacquiao isn’t your typical fighter in his 40’s. He managed to drop Keith Thurman in the first round as a 40-year-old, however, now six years older, Father Time will have caught up further. He looked older against Yordenis Ugas in 2022 and much of the same in his exhibition fight against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo 12 months ago. While still quick through the hands, Pacquiao’s footwork has slowed. He struggles to find the range and get his shots off like he has in the past. He doesn’t fight with the same rhythm.
Barrios, on the other hand, is not only younger, but a bigger body. He’s five inches taller with a disciplined jab. While Barrios did struggle at times in his 2021 loss to the smaller Gervonta Davis, he’s unbeaten since then.
Barrios will look to back up Pacquiao. Where Pacquiao relies on movement and counter punches, Barrios can win it with s smart fight. Without his iconic in and out rhythm and against Barrios’ length, it’s difficult to see Pacquiao landing enough heavy shots. Nostalgia doesn’t win fights.
Bet Now Pacquaio v BarriosOleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois
Wembly plays host to a second installment of Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois two years after their first fight.
Usyk, the first undisputed heavyweight champion in two decades, won the first in relatively convincing fashion and has beaten a legend in Tyson Fury twice since then. However, Dubois is a better, more confident fighter this time around. He’s rebuilt himself since the Usyk loss, notably beating Anthony Joshua by knockout in September 2024.
Daniel Dubois dominating Anthony Joshua to defend his IBF Heavyweight Title for the first time pic.twitter.com/j9uqzqnMrC
— Tokkerū (@ATokkers5) February 17, 2025
Much will be made of Dubois dropping Usyk with a low-blow in the first fight. It’s likely a sign of things to come in this one, too. Albeit hopefully above the belt, Dubois can cause Usyk trouble if he can get to the body at regular intervals.
Dubois is an offensive minded fighter and will need to be aggressive in testing the body again if he’s to be successful in this one. That focus could be his downfall, though.
Usyk won the lead hand battle in the first fight. He uses level changes feints to attack the head and body. With Dubois’ open stance in front of him, Usyk won’t have a problem with landing punches.
💥 When Oleksandr Usyk recovered from a controversial low blow call to knock Daniel Dubois out in round 9 and retain his unified heavyweight titles. pic.twitter.com/tPsdLPyxeD
— EverythingBoxing | Darshan Desai (@EverythingBoxi2) July 15, 2025
Despite being the smaller fighter, Usyk will be able to apply enough pressure to force Dubois back, just as he did in the first fight. It’s a relatively unfamiliar position for bigger Dubois.
Dubois packs a punch and can beat any fighter in boxing by knockout, but Usyk is setup better to land the big shots. His footwork provides a significant advantage in the lead hand battle and the ability to set up big punches from different angles.
Usyk has already seen and broken down Dubois once, and has has the versatility to adjust should the underdog present anything unexpected in the early rounds.
Bet Now Oleksandr Usyk - Points or Decision @ $2.70