Manny Pacquiao’s heavyweight agent insists Tim Tszyu can become a big name in the American sports market – and stresses it all starts with a highlight reel win in Sunday’s Las Vegas title blockbuster.

The declaration comes as the US boxing community has also welcomed news that, as WBC champion, Tszyu would immediately target one of three star targets – Keith Thurman, Jermell Charlo or Errol Spence Jnr.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, longtime US boxing scribe Dan Rafael declared Thurman the fight to make, while former world champ Chris Algieri insists Spence is the “biggest money fight” for Tszyu Stateside.

Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

Elsewhere, the trainer of hyped American prospect Vergil Ortiz Jnr has also confirmed he will be watching Sunday’s WBC super welterweight title closely – stressing a fight between his undefeated prospect and Tszyu is the best fight the division can make.

Accompanying megastar client Pacquiao in Las Vegas this week, agent Sean Barrios says not only was Tszyu initially tracking perfectly to impact the US sports market when arriving as an undefeated champion, but a win against Fundora the second time around can put him back on the pathway there.

“Big Shoes” – Fundora’s mind games | 01:51

While The Soul Taker dropped consecutive title fights in 2024 against both The Towering Inferno and Bakhram Murtazaliev, he is now looking to go back to the top of the sport with a second title run.

“And boxing is very forgiving,” Gibbons said.

“All it takes is one spectacular performance from Tim Tszyu this Saturday night and he’s right back.

“Already, Tim has a name with American fight fans.

“Not the average Joe on the street.

“But fight fans, yes.

“No Limit and Matt Rose have already done a tremendous job and definitely had him headed in the right direction initially.

“Unfortunately, Tim’s suffered a bump in the road but I think a win here this weekend and he can get right back on the tracks.”

As revealed by Fox Sports Australia this week, No Limit have three key targets for Tszyu as WBC champ, while manager Glen Jennings has outed Thurman as his client’s No.1 pick.

Longtime US boxing writer Rafael agrees.

“I think they should do the Thurman fight,” he said.

“And I say that because it’s what was initially supposed to happen, they’ve already talked a lot of s*** and Thurman has already come to Australia, fought and looked good.

“That’s the fight I would like to see.”

Tszyu embracing “Aussie takover” in LV | 02:46

Algieri, meanwhile, insists headlining a Spence comeback is the best way for Tszyu to continue his push into the American sports consciousness.

“If Spence comes back, that’s the biggest money fight for Tszyu,” he said.

“If I’m his team, that’s the one I’m going after.

“I know Tim is a big draw in Australia, and that he tried to break into the market over here with that first Fundora fight.

“It didn’t work out.

“But Spence is really popular here, a huge name, and sells a lot of tickets.

“And while it’s still a tough fight, I think it would be one of the easier fights in the division for Tim.

“Spence has been out of the ring a long time, is coming off a loss, and then had the car accidents which definitely affected his trajectory.”

Algieri also has no problem with a Thurman fight and stresses “it also sells well”.

“Especially given they were supposed to fight previously,” he said.

“And while you could do that fight in Australia, I feel like Tim wants to be big here.

“So it would be better for him to fight here.”

Fundora vs Tszyu 2: Press Conference | 11:52

Elsewhere, Gibbons stressed that while Tszyu’s famous father Kostya would help his growing profile Stateside, the only thing that really matters is winning.

“It’s simple,” the agent said for Tszyu’s success Stateside. “Put on a great performance, have a big win and Tim can tap into that market for sure.”

And as for the added push he gets as Kostya’s son.

“Among fight fans, his dad is still loved,” Gibbons said. “But it’s a long time ago now, right?

“A lot of these kids today, they don’t know the name.

“Old guys like me know and the name still helps, the promotion helps.

“You can create avenues for Tim there.

“But it’s all about winning.

“You gotta win.”

Full training camp – ‘Advantage Tim’ | 02:09

Asked for a prediction this weekend, both Gibbons and Rafael said the fight was too close to call, while Algieri is backing The Soul Taker.

“I like to go with the guys who are more fundamentally sound, and I think that’s Tim,” he said.

“You take that cut out first time around, it’s a whole different fight.

“So when I heard this rematch was being made I thought ‘it’s about damn time’.

“That first fight was super close, a really fun fight.

“The elbow to the scalp, the blood … bloodiest fight I’ve seen.

“So I’m glad they’re running it back.”

Meanwhile, the team of undefeated American Ortiz Jnr have also expressed interest in a barnburner with Tszyu.

Speaking with The Punch Podcast in Las Vegas this week, the trainer of Ortiz (23-0) said he would be watching the Australian closely this weekend.

“That would be awesome,” Robert Garcia said of a proposed showdown between the two.

“We’ll be putting a lot of attention on the fight because if Tim Tszyu does pull it off that would be the best fight that could happen at 154.

“That would be awesome.”

“Die in the ring”: Tim calls out Fundora | 02:22

So who wins Sunday?

“Look it’s a great fight,” the legendary trainer continued. “I think it might be the fight that steals the show.

“Fundora is an awkward guy, very difficult, great style and he’s improved a lot since they first fought.

“He’s been looking really good.

“He goes in there to fight and that’s why it’s going to be a great fight.

“The first fight, an accidental elbow caused a big cut.

“There’s a lot of things that could’ve been done, should’ve been done, the corner, everyone else, the doctor, it doesn’t matter, it was still a great fight.

“I think Tim Tszyu has the skills, the qualities to pull off the win but it’s not going to be easy.”