Tim Tszyu did more than capture the WBO interim junior middleweight champion by stopping Tony Harrison in nine rounds this past weekend at the Qudos Bank Arena in Syndey, Australia. He stamped himself as a legitimate bona-fide contender by the sheer dominance of his effort.
"Say my motherf****ng name!!!" Tszyu yelled out to the crowd of over 11,000 inside the venue, and watching in the States on Showtime.
It's not that Tszyu can't fight, or just a novelty act who just happened to have a father who was a Hall-of-Famer, but there were some lingering questions as to whether he was truly ready to face undisputed 154-pound king, Jermell Charlo.
courtesy of No Limit Boxing
The young Tszyu may still be an underdog versus Charlo, but this much is clear, he has certainly made strides from his victory last year against Terrell Gausha, where he was dumped on the canvas in the opening round, before winning a wide 12 round decision.
But it's clear that he has honed his skills. After a slow opening round where he allowed Harrison to control things for a majority of the first with his jab, Tszyu, began to steadily impose his wills with a layered attack that saw him steadily move forward behind his high guard, and an assortment of right hands, and body blows. It was evident that Tszyu could hurt Harrison consistently, but not vice-versa.
What was impressive was that Tszyu just systematically took apart the slick boxing Harrison, and by the end of the eighth round it was clear that the end was near as Harrison had a weary look to him. In the ninth Harrison was stunned by a right hand from Tszyu, and was basically frozen. At that point he took a shellacking and referee Danrex Tapdasan acted as if he was owed money by him and allowed him to take a frightful beating along the ropes.
Tim Tszyu Stops Tony Harrison In Round 9 | SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL
Now, lets make this clear, Tszyu, was supposed to win this fight. After all, Harrison was the older boxer, who had been stopped in all three of his previous losses, and it wasn't too long ago that he was held to a draw against Bryant Perella. But it's the manner in which he won that was the real statement.
courtesy of No Limit Boxing
Yes, HOW you win, matters. Tszyu isn't just sizzle, he's a lot of steak.
A message was sent loud and clear to all junior middleweights out there, and to one in particular, who was part of the Showtime crew who called this fight from a studio.
“You know what’s next, you know I’m coming," said Tszyu, who had been scheduled to face Charlo in late January before the undisputed champion pulled out of the fight with an injury to his left hand.
courtesy of No Limit Boxing
To which Charlo responded: “He’s going to be a tough fight because he’s coming forward. But I think he’s perfect for my style. He fits suitably well for me. I know he can’t take my punch because I know my punch is different. I think he’s going to do the same thing (when he fights me). He’s not going to change up much. Seeing him tonight just made me want to fight and be back in there, to get this over with, to just shut him up. I’ve shut up a lot of fighters. He’s just another one.”
It's being reported that the WBO has given Charlo 180 days to consummate this bout. What was once thought off as a bit of curiosity is now something much different.
A real fight.
PACHECO
Earlier on Saturday afternoon, DAZN, broadcast the latest card from Matchroom Boxing from the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. With the recent injury of Callum Smith, Diego Pacheco (who hails from Los Angeles) was elevated to the main event spot versus Jack Cullen.
courtesy of Matchroom Sports
Pacheco, who is a stablemate of David Benavidez, showed good form in stopping the veteran in emphatic fashion in round four. With his long frame (6'4), this young super middleweight hopeful is actually very Benavidez-esque, with his offensive style and power.
Diego Pacheco Steamrolls Jack Cullen
Keep this in mind, Pacheco (18-0, 15 KOs) is still just 22 years old, and turned professional at the very tail end of 2018. Out of all the prospects signed a few years ago by Eddie Hearn, Pacheco has really separated himself as the one to watch.
FINAL FLURRIES
It's clear that Tony Yoka is now a suspect....It was a beautiful ceremony held in the honor of Ken Thompson on Friday night at the DoubleTree Hotel in Ontario, California, before their card....Looks like a deal will soon be announced for the bout between undisputed lightweight champion, Devin Haney, and Vasiliy Lomachenko....So we finally have a deal for Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk?!?!....Alright, so we're back to Daylight Savings Time, but when are we getting our warm weather back here in Southern California?....
