Though the cut was in a relatively safe spot on top of his head,Tszyu said after the fight he was “completely blinded” by the amount of blood pouring down over his face.

The referee could have also called the fight to a halt after four rounds,making a technical decision,which on the judge’s eventual scorecards would have made the contest a draw,again leaving Tszyu to keep his title.

The Australian fighter managed to fight on for 10 more rounds,at least partially blinded and with his previous game plan torn to shreds. Tszyu was forced to fight more aggressively,concerned that the contest could be stopped at any stage. He was vulnerable to Fundora’s long jab,as he searched valiantly for a power punch to end the contest early.

Tszyu returned to his coach,Igor Goloublev,in the corner for instructions with his face covered in blood,leaving his corner man to try toapply layers of Vaseline that barely stemmed the blood that flowed into his eyes. He stood in his corner when the bell rang for the start of each round,haplessly trying to brush the blood away with his thick leather gloves.

Fundora had been known for his recklessness in previous fights,often choosing to trade flurries of punches rather than use his physical advantages. Against Tszyu,he took full advantage of the Rockdale fighter’s cut,jabbing at his forehead,doing enough to end the fragile protection provided by the Vaseline.

The fight ended on a close split decision for Fundora,with judge Tim Cheatham having Tszyu winning the fight 116-112. In contrast,David Sutherland had it 115-113 to Fundora and Steve Weisfeld had it 116-112 to Fundora,giving the American the WBC World Super Welterweight belt and Tszyu’s old WBO title.

Given the devastating circumstances of his Las Vegas debut,Tszyu was impressively sanguine in defeat,perhaps taking consolation that he should get an opportunity to avenge this loss with a rematch clause against Fundora already in place. The return fight is likely to take place in Australia.

The only slight impediment to the expected Fundora rematch was the sight of Errol Spence Jr in the ring talking up a fight between the American pair,with future Hall of Famer Terence Crawford also keen to take on the man they call the “The Towering Inferno”.

“Look,I told you,I’m an old throwback fighter,whatever circumstances. I couldn’t see. All credit belongs to the man who won tonight,” Tszyu said.

“These things happen;the momentum was rolling,swinging hard in the first two rounds,then boom you’re blinded completely.

“This is boxing;these things happen. Congratulations to Fundora. He’s the new king at 154 ... We will bounce back.”

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