Tim Tszyu plummets in Australia’s pound-for-pound rankings ahead of his world-title blockbuster

He is widely regarded as Australian boxing’s top dog, but Tim Tszyu has been knocked off his perch and is determined to regain top spot with a ‘bad ass’ performance in his world-title comeback fight on Sunday.

A ruthless Tim Tszyu has vowed to deliver a “bad ass” performance amid revelations the former world champion has suffered a savage rankings blow in Australian boxing’s pecking order.

This masthead can reveal Tszyu has been dethroned by Queenslander Liam Paro as Australia’s No.1-ranked fighter in the lead-up to his world-title blockbuster against Bakhram Murtazaliev on Sunday in Orlando.

The Soul Taker has plummeted to No.4 on Australia’s pound-for-pound list, also falling behind Jai Opetaia and Sam Goodman, underscoring the heavy price Tszyu has paid for his gutsy loss to Sebastian Fundora in March.

Incredibly, Nikita Tszyu has rocketed to No.5 and there is a danger Tim could sensationally fall below his younger brother in the national rankings if he suffers back-to-back losses on American soil.

Tim Tszyu has paid a heavy price for his world-title loss to Sebastian Fundora in March. Picture: Getty Images

The rankings have been compiled by globally-recognised Boxrec, the official record-keeper of the sport which uses a formula to determine the status of fighters around the world.

Tszyu was widely regarded as the king of Australian boxing when he headlined a historic Amazon Prime card in Las Vegas in March, but his bloody loss to Fundora cost him his WBO world-champion status.

Since then, Paro and Opetaia have claimed major victories to become Australia’s two current male world champions, amplifying the pressure on Tszyu to return to the title apex by mauling Murtazaliev.

But Tszyu is not offended by his rankings snub, saying he hopes to emulate Paro and Opetaia by reclaiming a world title in his quest to be the undisputed king of the super welterweight division.

Liam Paro has been ranked as Australia’s pound for pound king.

“It’s all good,” said a philosophical Tszyu when asked if he felt disrespected by his plunge to No.4.

“I’m not really competing with anyone here in Australia, especially pound for pound.

“We’re all doing our thing and we’re backing each other.

“I’ll be competing for the pound-for-pound rich list! That’s what I want to get to.

“But pound for pound number one? If the boys want to take it, if someone else wants to take it, it’s alright.

“I’m all good with that.

“Everyone’s got their own opinion I guess.”

Far from bitter following his loss to Fundora, Tszyu pledged to get better.

The 29-year-old currently holds none of the four world title belts at super welterweight and is on a mission to wipe out 154-pound big guns Fundora, Terence Crawford, Vergil Ortiz and Errol Spence.

Step one is disposing of Murtazaliev (22-0), which would not only propel Tszyu (24-1) in Australia’s pound-for-pound rankings, but give him a crucial bargaining chip to secure the marquee fights.

Murtazaliev is a tough-as-nails Russian with dangerous punching power, but Tszyu warned he will obliterate his opponent in Orlando.

“You will see a bad ass performance,” he said.

“The level will be ruthless and something that shocks people and shocks my opponent as well.

“Losing the belt, it feels like you have to get back to the drawing board.

“There were so many future plans if I won that fight (against Fundora).

“I want to unify the division and make all the big fights happen.

“Super welterweight is a red-hot division. I want to be the shot caller and call out the big fights and you do that by having the straps.

“It’s why I’m not satisfied at the moment.

Jai Opetaia is ranked No.2 ahead of Tim Tszyu, who has dropped to fourth. Picture: Getty Images

“There is a long way to go to where I want to get to. We’re still at the bottom ground.”

Murtazaliev has goaded Tszyu by claiming his rival “talks too much”, but the Australian promised to walk the walk in the ring.

“There’s no fear of him,” he said.

“There’s been a real ferociousness in this build up. It’s not about my opponent, it’s about myself, seeing the best version of myself and seeing the potential I can reach.

“This is a big fight for myself. I have to win.

“People really underestimate my boxing IQ and my boxing skills. I love to scrap, but I wouldn’t just throw haymakers for no reason.

“When I throw this week, he (Murtazaliev) will feel the pain when I land.

“I’m a man on a mission.”

Originally published as Tim Tszyu plummets in Australia’s pound-for-pound rankings ahead of his world-title blockbuster