LAS VEGAS — Sebastian Fundora wants to work smarter, not harder, in his rematch against Tim Tszyu.

The WBC junior middleweight champion Fundora (22-1-1, 14 KOs) and Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs) found themselves engaged in a bloodbath during their original short-notice matchup in March 2024 and 'The Towering Inferno' sneaked by with a 12-round split decision win.

Ahead of their July 19 rematch at the MGM Grand to co-headline a PBC on Prime Video PPV, Fundora naturally has no intent to be involved in yet another barnburner.

"I don't want a bloody war, not on my side," Fundora told The Ring. "I want to be the Fighter of the Year, not be in the Fight of the Year. Last year was good but this year is going to be even better. I'm growing and I am doing my thing. Hopefully, I can fight another champion by the end of the year."

Fundora has a knack for theatrics.

In 2022, he was involved in another Fight of the Year candidate and war against Erickson Lubin, recovering from a knockdown to disfigure Lubin's face for a 9th-round stoppage while down a point on two of the scorecards. The following year, Fundora suffered a career-first defeat when he was blasted into submission by Brian Mendoza in the 7th-round of a one-sided fight he'd been controlling at that stage.

"I always fought a lot of aggressive fighters like Tszyu who came forward," said Fundora. "It's nothing new to me, just another experience."

Fundora made things look much easier last time out in March by stopping the overmatched Chordale Booker in four rounds. He has since been stripped of his WBO title, as he chose to face Tszyu in a more lucrative sequel instead of mandatory challenger Xander Zayas.

"It was important for me to get back in the ring quickly," said Fundora. "There are a lot of fights to be made. There are a lot of names, and I want to fight all of them. I like the idea of being undisputed. My sister Gabriela is the undisputed flyweight champion and was the 2024 Fighter of the Year. It's something to reach for, and that's how you stamp your name on being the best.

"I'd like to fight Bakhram Murtazaliev. He's the IBF champion, and I want that belt too. I don't think he's the most dangerous fighter at 154. I think I am. It depends on who you like, what styles you like. There's Vergil Ortiz, Zayas, Bakhram, there are a lot of good names.

"Everyone wants to see me fight these guys, and they think it's going to be a hard fight for me. But it's just an opportunity for me to prove that I am the best 154-pounder in the world.

"Right now, I'm comfortable at 154 pounds and make the weight comfortably. I feel like 160 pounds can be the next fight for all we know. I can't speak about the future. I am only focused on the present and the high-class fight I have on my hands against Tszyu."