Australian boxer Tim Tszyu has dropped a bombshell over his future ahead of his showdown for the IBF Super Welterweight world title against Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev.
Tszyu steps into the ring for the first time since his bloody defeat by towering American Sebastian Fundora and promises to put on a show.
Speaking from Florida ahead of the fight, the Sydneysider revealed he plans to move to the United States permanently after his fight this weekend.
“Looking at houses and cars,” Tszyu said News Corp.
‘Because my future lies in America.
‘I have seven, maybe eight years in this sport and I really want to make the most of it.
‘I’m ready to fight and chase my dreams.
“And I’m willing to sacrifice my life back home in Australia to make this happen.”
Sydneysider Tim Tszyu (pictured during training) has revealed he plans to move to the United States permanently after his fight this weekend
Tszyu and his fiancée Alexandra Constantine (pictured together) are looking for property to buy in the US.
Tszyu is confident he will strip the undefeated Russian of his IBF title on Sunday.
“I’m just here to show that I’m above it, plain and simple,” Tszyu said, dismissing Murtazaliev’s claim that the son of Hall of Famer Kostya was “the most hyped name in boxing.”
‘I’ve been listening to that since the beginning of my career. [It’s] not new.
‘They keep saying that. A couple [of rivals] started with respect, but then you get another one and again – hype, blah, blah, blah, more, more bulls**t.
‘It is what it is, I guess. What, what can I do?’
Murtazaliev (22-0, 16KOs) also accused Tszyu (24-1, 17KOs) of talking too much, but the Sydney knockout artist knocked that sledge away with another taunt.
Tszyu was well aware that the California-based, Grozny-born 31-year-old had been dodged three times by former undisputed champion Jermell Charlo as he built his undefeated career spanning more than a decade. He labeled Murtazaliev as ‘unpromotable’.
Tszyu (pictured with Constantine after winning a fight) is confident the referee will raise his hand at the end of his fight with the undefeated Russian on Sunday
Tszyu steps into the ring for the first time since his loss to the towering Sebastian Fundora
‘I talk? I do interviews, but that’s what selling a fight does, and talking about the fight,” Tszyu said.
“Unlike some guys who can’t be promoted at all, it’s not my fault he’s one of those guys.
‘He basically had to go wherever he was told; he often has money set aside.
“He’s clearly a step-side-up fighter. I’m here to take on the biggest challenges, the toughest battles, the biggest battles and create a legacy and make a lot of money.
‘That’s what I’m here for.
“Him on the other hand, he’s money aside, this and that and the other, man. We are in two different worlds.’
Tszyu’s scathing assessment of the reigning IBF champion received the nod of approval from training great Johnny Lewis, who questioned the Russian’s unbeaten credentials as he tipped his Australian challenger to win comfortably.
“They (boxers) can set records these days and they don’t fight the best,” Lewis told AAP on Tuesday.
“Too many of those who are undefeated don’t fight.
“I have no doubt Tim will work him out. I think he can stop him.”
Tszyu has confirmed that his father Kostya will be at the Caribe Royale Orlando event on Sunday to support him.
“It’s more of a moment for him,” Tszyu said Broad sports world.
“It’ll be pretty cool for him to see how far we’ve come.”
The Australian revealed that his famous father Kostya (pictured together) will be ringside on Sunday
His loss to Fundora will forever be marked with an asterisk, as evidenced by the IBF’s decision to give Tszyu a chance at redemption after suffering a horrific accidental head cut in the second round in Las Vegas in March.
Lewis is not concerned about Tszyu’s long-term layoff.
“He’s living well and he’s ready,” said Lewis, who was in Kostya’s corner when Tszyu’s legendary father became a unified world champion.
Should Tszyu triumph and join Kostya as multiple-time world champion, the 29-year-old will be firmly on track to secure a rematch with Fundora or a mega-money blockbuster with pound-for-pound champion Terence Crawford set.