The boxing wish list for 2022 will be announced soon and Tim Tszyu will likely feature on a few lists.
Undefeated as a professional athlete in 19 matches, the 27-year-old Australian superweight looks inch by inch a future world champion and fans and media will likely note ‘ Tim Tszyu v Brian Castano’ is one of the matches they want to watch next year. Tszyu was named WBO’s must-competitor for Castano’s world title in August and now we’re waiting for the potential frontrunner to be signed.
“After this, I hope Castano will be next,” said Tszyu Social boxing last week.
The son of the legendary Kostya is ready for the next step in the recent battles. His win over Jeff Horn in August 2020 was just a passing torch. 8NS The round-robin victory cemented his status as the face of Australian boxing as he crossed and reinvigorated the retired veteran in his chair in his final bout. Tszyu’s trademark body and right-hand shots then proved too much for Bowyn Morgan, Dennis Hogan and Steve Spark (the late replacement for Michael Zerafa) over the next 12 months.
“My progress has been exceptional,” says Tszyu.
“I’m in the gym doing rounds, gaining ring experience and getting ring time. They all play an important role in your development as a boxer. Success comes from keeping yourself active.”
“I’m a completely different fighter,” he said of his growth since his win over Horn.
“The way I feel in the ring, in terms of experience, in terms of pressure and style can learn sweet science. Do hundreds of rounds in the camp, you will obviously learn, obviously each time will build differently. Every fight camp offers new challenges and new ways to take things out and in a style that makes me a better fighter. ”
Tszyu looked like he was facing former world champion Tony Harrison this month before negotiations broke down forcing the team to look for a new opponent. Tomorrow at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park, Takeshi Inoue (WBO super class 6th contender) has the difficult task of braking the Tszyu train. A win would mark a good year for Tszyu, but he admits he’s disappointed not to win the world title in 2021.
“It was a bit disappointing but at the same time it was all about the process and the journey and what was meant to be what was meant to be, it was pretty straightforward. The fact that I’m still fighting here in Australia in front of thousands of people, being able to do the big shows here in Australia and give the fans something to look forward to, that’s all right. he is aiming for. ”
So, what is the test that Inoue brings? The record (17-1-1, 10 KOs) featured a pivotal game that stood out and that was a 12-point round 12 loss to Mexican machine Jaime Munguia (then at 154lbs) in January 2019. The scorecards really don’t do justice to Inoue’s performance. Inoue certainly tried to fend off his man before unleashing his punches, but his opponents always proved to be doing more than enough on the outside and with his famous punch combinations to keep he flies and guarantees victory.
Inoue shows patience in building his feet before he is allowed to control the tempo of a battle, which Tszyu does not allow him to do. He also has reasonable power (apparently in his win over Cheng Su last year) and much of his 154lb muscular frame that the home favorites will have to change if he is to face Brian Castano next year.
“He has a device and he moves forward. He is a working horse. He was built like a machine. That’s all he has,” said Tszyu, dismissing his opponent’s threat
“There are some things I did in the camp that you will see in the evening,” he added. “It’s all about patience, time and calmness and we’ll see how he copes with the pressure from me.”
Crowds and media flocked to a week of Tim Tszyu fights and night fights. Something that the man of the moment had become familiar with. Watching his father handle the pressures and expectations of the world’s wildest sport has influenced him as Tim Tszyu really plays up the whole experience when it comes to competition week.
“I love it,” he enthused.
“A lot of times when people are scrutinized when they’re fighting for a world title, I feel like I’m fighting for a world title in every game. Followers, media numbers are coming. Once I got to the title of world champion, there was nothing new, this was everything I was used to and everything I was used to.
“I love it when you turn into an animal, you’re in the zone, it feels great to be able to lock your eyes on your opponent. Once night combat here is the time. “
Whether Tszyu can make it through tomorrow’s fight, what many fans have been waiting for will come true next year. Whether that takes place in Australia or indeed the United States, where Tszyu is eager to fight is for others to sort out. Tszyu wants an early world title around him, which means the work won’t stop for the year after fighting Inoue.
“I am ready to go to the United States. Every kid dreams of fighting under the bright lights there,” he said.
“I’ve won the world title so for sure Christmas is here, I need a strap around my waist. I’m not here to relax, to enjoy myself, I’m here to work like a horse for the next 10 years, make as many big fights as I can and as much money as I can and then I will retreat into the Twilight.”
