Mexican contender Carlos Ocampo 34-2 (22) says he is not coming to Australia for a holiday ahead of his challenge to WBO interim junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu 22-0 (16) at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland on June 18 local time.
The 27-year-old Ocampo has lost just one of his past 14 bouts, a 12-round decision loss to lanky contender Sebastian Fundora in October last year. The only other blemish on his ledger was a stoppage loss to current WBC, WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.
Sydney’s Tszyu, 28, could have easily avoided the fight and waited for his mandated shot at undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo 35-1-1 (19) that was ordered by the WBO.
Instead, he decided to go back to the well and risk a guaranteed world title shot against the tough and rugged Ocampo.
A loss for Tszyu will line up a shot at Charlo for Ocampo.
“I took the fight against Tim Tszyu because he represents an important challenge in my career. He is the one who holds the title today and on June 18 he will understand what it is to meet a Mexican. I will beat Tim Tszyu, make no mistake,” Ocampo said.
Just weeks ago Tszyu suffered a dog bite to his arm at a friend’s BBQ that required 26 stitches, but he refused to cancel the fight.
“I was full training on Monday after the thing happened on Saturday,” said Tszyu to the Australian press in reference to a dog bite on his right arm. “I’m not going to be limited at all… There’s a dog in me right now that’s about to come out.”
“I wish him a speedy recovery (from the dog bite) because I hope it’s not an excuse on Sunday June 18. I won’t aim for your arm because I’m a gentleman. But remember, protect yourself at all times,” Ocampo said.
“This has been the best preparation of my career, the sparring was better than that of many world champions and my work won’t be in vain even though I have to go to the other side of the world.
“I truly believe I will beat Tim in the most unexpected way. Us Mexicans are different. We are distinguished fighters, we are real, we come to fight.
“In Mexico, sparring is with 12 ounces, not like in the rest of the world, which is with 16. Here (in Mexico) boxers fight to win breakfast tomorrow and the rest of the world doesn’t understand that.
“I’m going to fight to bring the title home. The prize for winning this fight will be me bringing the world title home to Ensenada, Baja California.”
Tszyu says he is looking forward to the challenge of facing a Mexican.
“Technically, this fight is going to be much harder than my previous fights,” he said. “The Mexican style will require something new in me and I expect it to be tough.
“Despite being Australian and on the other side of the globe, I’m headlining a fight on Showtime for the third time. Is anyone else doing that? Everyone knows I’m coming to take over.”
