Tim Tszyu is on the verge of the biggest single payday in Australian sport after taking a huge risk for his next fight

It’s the multi-million dollar throw that could earn Tim Tszyu the biggest payday in Australian sporting history.

While some pundits believe Tszyu’s decision to quit American ‘Towering Inferno’ Sebastian Fundora within 12 days is madness, Sunday’s victory in Las Vegas will deliver a $10 million ($A15.3 million) windfall – with even more more wealth in income. the future.

That is the eye-catching figure the 29-year-old boxer fights for on Saturday evening in the T-Mobile Arena prime time in the US.

It’s not the amount the son of a gun will earn if he beats Fundora, which would mean he and father Kostya join Leon and Corey Spinks as only the second father-and-son duo to become unified world boxing champions.

Instead, the win would set up a mega-fight with pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford, who announced last week that he would exercise his right as WBO welterweight champion to be named mandatory challenger for the winner of Tszyu versus the 197cm Fundora.

The Australian will rake in $15 million if he beats Fundora – with another big payday to follow

Sources have revealed that Tszyu (24-0, 17KO) will collect $10 million ($15.3 million) to enter the ring alongside Crawford (40-0, 31KO).

That’s more than double the $6.56 million that golf superstar Cameron Smith earned for winning LIV Golf London last year and helping the Crushers to second place in the team event on the same day.

Smith also reportedly received between $100 and $125 million to move to the Saudi-backed breakout tour, and the country’s top basketball, baseball, football players and Formula 1 drivers can sign up for eight figures . reimbursements.

But no Australian athlete can ever boast of making $15 million in a single day.

When his original opponent, former world champion Keith Thurman, withdrew from Sunday’s non-title pay-per-view blockbuster last week with a biceps injury, Tszyu could have sat back and waited.

Instead, he took the opportunity to compete against Fundora, who is 22cm taller than him.

The Sydneysider said ‘zero’ boxers in the world would fight Fundora on such short notice, especially with his WBO world title on the line.

But Tszyu, a self-proclaimed throwback fighter who is ready for anyone, insists the risk is all Fundora’s.

Tszyu collects $15.3 million to enter the ring with Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford (pictured)

Tszyu (pictured defeating Brian Mendoza in his most recent fight) says Fundora is the fighter who should be worried about the fight, not him

Tszyu plans to defend his unified ties against Crawford before battling Canelo Alvarez for an even bigger payday

“I’m not the one who needs to be afraid,” Tszyu said.

‘He should be afraid of me. That is the difference. Nothing will stop me, no matter what.

‘In my mind I live in a different era than where we are now. We live in an age of Twitter battles instead of fighters.

‘So I hope I can inspire more boxers. I saved the show – T-Mobile Arena, all this stuff.

“Every other fighter fighting on the undercard is all because of my decision, and that’s how it was (without hesitation).”

Should Tszyu unify the super welterweight division and then defend his titles against Crawford, it is clear that he will not pursue the opportunity to become an undisputed world champion.

With his legacy already secured, Tszyu is eager for a showdown with undisputed world super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

Alvarez is arguably the biggest name in boxing and a match with the Mexican megastar would mean Tszyu could potentially double the money he would make from fighting Crawford.