WBO bantamweight champion Jason Moloney is Australia’s only remaining world titlist  following Tim Tszyu’s loss to Sebastian Fundora.

Tszyu lost his light-middleweight crown via split-decision against late-replacement Fundora, 26, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight's momentum swung in Fundora’s favour following a large cut to the top of the Australian’s head in the second round.

“That was incredible on Saturday night,” Moloney told boxing. “I have a lot of respect for Tim. He’s proved he’s not just the son of Kostya; he’s been putting in some great performances. 

“I thought he did a great job in the Fundora fight. He took the first two rounds well and dealt with that awkward style Fundora has really impressively, but to be hit with an elbow like that is unlucky. It was a freak accident.”

The 29-year-old Tszyu’s corner has come under criticism for not pulling the Aussie superstar out of the fight when his own blood was affecting his vision. 

“Of course he’s a warrior and he will always want to keep on fighting,” added Moloney, who defends his title against Japan’s Yoshiki Takei at the Tokyo Dome on May 6. “His team let him down a little bit by not doing the smart thing in that situation. They should have said, ‘Look, Tim can’t see’. It was very obvious that the blood was imparring his vision. He was constantly wiping blood out of his eyes and in rounds three and four he was struggling because he couldn’t see. 

“They should have really thought what is the smart thing to do in that situation and he would have retained his title. Everybody would have been disappointed with a no-contest, but he keeps his belt and they do it again. It was a great fight; very exciting; an absolute bloodbath. It was disappointing to see a fellow Australian lose, especially because of the cut. If it hadn't been for that, Tim was on his way to a good victory. But that’s boxing, anything can happen. It is what makes the sport so great.”

Australia has often produced an abundance of great fighters, but there had been a lull until Moloney, Tszyu, George Kambosos Jr and Jai Opetaia reached world level. Kambosos welcomes Vasiliy Lomachenko to Perth next month in a sign of the increasing interest in boxing in Australia.

“Everyone back here thought Tim put in an incredible effort,” Moloney explained. “I think a lot of fans were surprised that he lost the fight, but a lot of those who know boxing knew that was a tough task. Taking on a fighter like Fundora on 12 days’ notice when you haven’t been preparing for that style at all, you need a full camp to prepare for style like that really. 

“You have to respect that he took the fight, then to come out the way he did in the first two rounds and adapt to that style was pretty impressive. It will be interesting to see what he does next. Hopefully he doesn’t fall off too far. They did have a verbal rematch clause, but as you know, it doesn’t mean a lot until it is signed. If Fundora gets the opportunity to fight [Terence] Crawford or [Errol] Spence then he is obviously going to take those fights; they are massive. Tim might be set back a bit unfortunately.”