Australia’s Tim Tszyu has been branded a “slow Mexican” by American superstar Keith Thurman, who warned he will also be sending the WBO super welterweight king “tail tucked, head down back to his daddy in Australia”.
The ‘Tszyusa’ era is officially now underway after the undefeated 29-year-old Aussie and Thurman – once the world’s undisputed welterweight champ – squared off in a fiery press conference to launch their hyped Las Vegas blockbuster on Sunday, March 31 (AEST).
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Boasting all the confidence of a fella who has never lost to anyone not named Manny Pacquiao, Thurman tore into the Sydneysider with microphone in hand, while Tszyu also then responded in kind – promising to win by KO, taking a crack at the “pussies” in world boxing, and also vowing to make the Tszyu clan boxing’s greatest family ever.
While Thurman, who has been out of the ring two years and is now moving up in weight, cannot fight for Tszyu’s crown, the American also suggested there was more than enough on the line in the headliner, which tops a card that will also see Australia’s Michael Zerafa fight for the WBA middleweight belt.
During one particularly heated exchange, Thurman said of Tszyu: “He’s young, undefeated and trying to open the gates to his new era.
“But it’s my job to close the door shut, right in his face.
“I want him to go, tail tucked, head down back to his daddy in Australia ‘I’m sorry pops. I’m Sorry. The Tszyu name … I’m done. I didn’t know he was that fast’.
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“Unfortunately the title will not be on the line but his pride will be, and that’s good enough for me.”
Asked for a response, Tszyu said: “You bring that energy, man.
“I want that energy.
“Because mark my words, I will knock you out within 12 rounds.”
Thurman, voice raising now: “You can try, my man. You can try.
“But you’re going to get more than energy … you gunna get these hands baby, all up in your face.”
Tszyu: “You’re going to be running. You’re gunna be running and I’ll be catching you like you’re a little gazelle”.
Still, Thurman wasn’t done.
“Your flat feet slow,” he shot back.
“Australia, that’s a small island very far away. And I did not know flat-footed Mexicans were born in Australia, Tszyu.
“(Laughing) Mexican Tszyu, what you gunna do?”
Tszyu: “I’ve got a …”
Thurman: “Mexican Tszyu, what you gunna do?”
Tszyu: “I’ve got a Mexican style but Mexican styles are one of the greatest in the world so don’t you be disrespecting Mexican styles”.
Thurman: “I ain’t lost to no Mexican. Do your research. Watch more tape. Watch more tape if you wanna debate”.
Tszyu: “Don’t be running.”
Thurman: “I ain’t lost to no flat footed, slow Mexicans. OK.”
After some more back and forth the American went again, this time mimicking Tszyu with: “Please let me beat you up Keith. Please let me beat you up. Please let me punch you in the face, pleeease …”
Tszyu: “Middle of the ring, baby”.
Thurman: “I’ll be right there”.
Tszyu: “Deal”.
Initially introduced by press conference host Jimmy Lennon Jnr, Tszyu was branded a “huge star” and asked “now that you’ve made it, what do you plan to do to take full advantage of that?”
“I haven’t made it,” replied the man who is undefeated in 24 fights.
“The making begins when I beat Thurman.
“He’s the first name on the list.
“This is the takeover for me.”
Lennon then talked with the champ about his incredible past year of big risk, the dog bite, and those three huge wins over Tony Harrison, Brian Mendoza, and Carlos Ocampo, before asking where the confidence comes from?
Tim Tszyu gears up to face Keith Thurman | 02:32
“I aspire to the throwback fighters,” he said.
“Fighters these days in this modern era, they’re just a bunch of pussies.
“That’s my opinion.
“When I grew up watching in the 2000s, everyone fought the best. And that’s what I am.
“A dog bite? Who cares?
“I want to fight, and I want to fight the big names.
“And Thurman is the big name that I’m after now.”
And as for his living up to his famed surname?
“My goal is for our last name to be the greatest boxing family who ever lived,” the champ said when questioned about his career now following that of his Hall of Fame father, Kostya Tszyu.
“It’s big aspirations.
“But I’ve called it here and we’ll see how far we get.”
Tszyu also stressed he was ready for Thurman given, back in 2019, he had spent time in Pacquaio’s camp, sparring the legend in preparation for what would eventually be a split decision win for Pac Man.
“I’m planning to make this a spectacle he has never seen before,” Tszyu said.
“I sparred Manny in preparation for Keith Thurman.
“So I know. I’ve studied him, had to imitate him for Pacquiao so I know him back to front.
“And once I’m done with Thurman I want Spence, Crawford, all those big names.”
Responding soon after, the fighter dubbed ‘One Time’ said to Tszyu: “I don’t know what you do.
“They say you come from Down Under and I am trying to put you under mate.
“Tim Tszyu, he’s watched tape, been in there with Manny, might’ve signed that contract … but boy, you don’t know what you just did.”
Elsewhere, Thurman likened his own return to the ring to that once made by Muhammad Ali, while telling Lennon Jnr of his decision to move up from welterweight: “It’s something that happens in boxing.
“You’ve seen it throughout the years.
“I just love the legacy at 147.
“But I think I milked the cow (there), got what I got out of the welterweight division.
“I fell short of greatness on the night against Pacquiao, which is still one of the most memorable nights of my life.
“Every time Keith Thurman steps into that ring, I’m living out my all-American dream.
“I’ve worked for this since I was seven years old.
“I remember being told ‘you have what it takes for greatness, boy. So stay out of trouble, stay away from the girls, stay off the drugs …’.
“No matter how tough it this, those sacrifices are truly worth it.
“I’ve done a lot at 147, I’m a dreamer and I want to do great things at 154.
“I want to show the world what type of champion is Keith Thurman.
“I’m the type of champion like Ali, you put me back in the ring and I’m going to rise back to the top. That’s what this is all about.
“People have their comments, suggestions, people come up with statistics, but they’re not with Keith Thurman.
“They don’t know my grind.
“They’re not in my head. Don’t understand my mindset.
“That’s what (this fight) is all about – proving to the world that Keith Thurman, was, is and will be forever and ever one of the greatest fighters in boxing.”
So as for chasing titles at super welterweight?
“I’m just looking for great fights,” the Florida native continued.
“I want great fights.
“Great action.
“And Tim Tszyu is filling that void right now.”
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