The manager of undefeated junior middleweight contender Tim Tszyu 19-0 (15) has laughed at the idea that the top names in the 154-pound weight class do not know who his fighter is.
The 26-year-old Tszyu has fought exclusively in his home country of Australia since turning pro five years ago but a number of his recent fights have been broadcast by ESPN+ in the United States.
Some of the biggest names in the division hail from the US, including WBC, WBA and IBF champion Jermell Charlo 34-1 (18) who will face Argentinean WBO titleholder Brian Castano 17-0-1 (12) at AT&T Stadium in San Antonio, Texas on July 17.
“They all know who Tim Tszyu is over there,” manager Glen Jennings said. “They are trying to stay distant, but they all know where he sits. He’s not down the bottom, he’s up at the top of the list just knocking on the door.
“Matty [Rose] and I are quite happy with the fact that we’ve got a nice little scope of people to drag should we not get that world title chance next and hopefully it’ll follow after that.
“Stay tuned, because hopefully we can get this done and dusted and obviously we’ll wait to see what happens on the 17th with Charlo and Castano.”
Tszyu knocked out late replacement Stevie Spark 12-2 (11) in the third round at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, Australia on Wednesday night to claim the vacant Commonwealth title. Toowoomba’s Spark was down twice from left hooks to the body before the fight was called off.
Spark, 24, stepped in on one week’s notice after Michael Zerafa 28-4 (17) withdrew from the bout citing concerns about Covid-19 protocols.
“It was dangerous at first,” admitted Tszyu, who had a mark under right eye. “But I knew I had to slow him down.
“The only way to slow him down was to be on his chest, in his face.
Asked if he would have preferred to have been in with Zerafa, Tszyu smiled.
“Nah. I prefer him now, without the gloves,” he said.
Tszyu is ranked WBO number one and number three by both the WBC and IBF at 154-pounds. Instead of resting on his laurels, the plan is to match him with a former world champion next.
“There’s Liam Smith, (Magomed) Kurbanov and Danny Garcia, they’re the three guys I’m going for,” said Tszyu, the eldest son of International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Kostya Tszyu. “So if you’re watching, boys, I’m coming for you.”
Promoter George Rose of No Limit Boxing added: “Like I said, Tim’s the best super welterweight in the world. He’s just got to get that opportunity to prove it.
“He’ll keep fighting his way to be in that position if [Jermell] Charlo vacates, Tim will happily step up.”
