Tim Tszyu gets world title shot against Tony Harrison in Australia – but he’s taking a huge risk
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Tim Tszyu will risk it all and fight for a world title in Australia against the only boxer to beat undisputed champion Jermell Charlo.
The Sydney product has been set for a March 12 meeting with American Tony Harrison for the WBO super welterweight world title, with the city and venue yet to be confirmed.
Tim Tszyu (pictured) will risk it all and fight for a world title in Australia against the only boxer to beat undisputed champion Jermell Charlo
The Sydney pub has set a meeting on March 12 with American Tony Harrison (pictured) for the WBO super welterweight world title, with the city and venue yet to be confirmed.
Tszyu (21-0, 15KO) has remained in his United States camp since a dream shot on January 28 against Jermell Charlo was frozen after the undisputed champion broke his hand in training in December.
It has left the 28-year-old fighting for a belt in everyone’s place and it will be a tall order against Detroit product Harrison (29-3-1, 21KO), the only man to beat Charlo.
The now 32-year-old won the WBC belt in 2018, but then immediately returned it to Charlo in a rematch.
Tszyu (21-0, 15KO) has remained in the US camp since a dream shot on Jan. 28 against Jermell Charlo (pictured right holding title belts) was frozen as the undisputed champion walked away. broke his hand
The Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne are reportedly in a race to host the Sunday afternoon show.
Nikita Tszyu will also be fighting on the same card as his older brother for the first time, while father and former Australian boxer Kostya, who defended three belts against Jesse James Leija in Melbourne in 2003, will be an enthusiastic spectator.
“I think Australia is going to blow up,” Tszyu said in a statement on Monday, confirming his first fight in Australia in nearly 18 months.
‘It’s a great fight for Australia and a special moment in my career.
The winner will claim the interim title and will face an in-form Charlo again for all four belts later this year.
I have so many passionate fans supporting and following me, so I guess you’ll feel a bit crazy about the atmosphere in Australia.
“But his biggest problem that he’s running into isn’t the fans, it’s me.”
The winner will claim the interim title and will face an in-form Charlo again for all four belts later this year.
Harrison is ranked No. 2 in the WBC, No. 3 in the WBO and was in a race with undefeated Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev to face Tszyu and create a path of his own to Charlo’s belts.
“Every fight you take is on the line, you’re one shot away from going back to the bottom,” Tszyu said of the risk the fight represents.
Harrison (pictured) is ranked No. 2 in the WBC, No. 3 in the WBO and was in a race with undefeated Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev to face Tszyu and create a path of his own to Charlo’s belts.
Everything is at stake and it’s a gamble, but this is what I do. This is boxing, it’s part of my career and I’m a fighter first.
‘He (Harrison) was the next best thing available. I’m at that stage in my career where I don’t really care who’s in front of me. I’m ready to take them all out.
Fight fans have congratulated the Australian for going out on a limb and risking his chance with superstar Charlo.
“Good on Tszyu for taking a chance,” one fan tweeted.
‘Big time Tim Tszyu,’ wrote another. ‘He’s not waiting for Charlo to come back from injury and keep the division going.
Fight fans have congratulated the Australian for going out on a limb and risking a chance against superstar Jermell Charlo.
He is putting his undisputed title shot on the line by fighting Tony Harrison, who is a top 5 fighter in that division and is difficult to fight stylistically! No tunings!
Harrison has been looking for a date with Tszyu for some time, but hopes his hitting accuracy will outperform his knowledge of Australian wildlife.
“Take me on vacation,” he told reporters last year.
‘Let me see the kangaroos and rattlesnakes and things like that, I want that.
‘I want to fight him, but I want to fight him there.’