Tim Tszyu defeats Terrell Gausha in ‘fight of the year’ contender
Tim Tszyu’s incredible 12 round war in the US could have come undone days before with the Aussie champion revealing a mystery illness seriously hampered his preparations.
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Tim Tszyu has vowed to deliver boxing wars for the next decade after claiming a thrilling win against American Terrell Gausha in Minneapolis, having been floored in the first round.
The 27-year-old, who secretly battled illness in the lead-up to the bout, climbed off the canvas to dominate Gausha, making a statement to the American public and his rivals.
Tszyu was dropped and hurt with a short right hand by Gausha within the first two minutes of their bout at The Armory.
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Yet he unflinchingly fought back to hammer Gausha over the ensuing contest, winning 116-111, 115-112 and 114-113 on the judges’ scorecards.
Tszyu (21-0, 15KO) retains his No.1 WBO super-welterweight ranking and is in line for the unified titles after Brian Castano and Jermell Charlo have their rematch on May 14.
“I’m here to punch on, and I’m sure people were quite entertained by that,” Tszyu said.
“If I can make fans come out of their seat and start screaming, for me or against me, I don’t care. That’s what boxing is all about and that’s what I intend to bring for the next 10 years.”
Tszyu fell ill upon his arrival to the United States.
He spent training camp in Las Vegas but got the flu and developed a bad cough which was still plaguing him after the fight as he answered reporters’ questions in between coughing.
Tszyu was forced to get tested for Covid and while he was negative, his cough got worse as the US camp wore on.
“I was sick for two weeks before the fight, I didn’t want to say anything but I couldn’t breathe, my spurts were going crazy, I was trying to stay away from everyone and drink as much water [as I could],” Tszyu said.
“It was a good experience, whatever problems faced, you’ve got to push through and find a way to keep going.”
Perhaps the illness is to blame for his lethargic start – it appeared his risk to take on the tough and skillful Gausha and put his No.1 WBO super-welterweight ranking on the line had turned out to be a huge error when he was dropped inside two minutes of the opening bell.
Judge Robert Hecko scored it 114-113. That is tremendously bad judging. Wow.
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) March 27, 2022
Also, the cut on Tszyu's head was from a headbutt in Rd 1. #TszyuGausha#Boxingpic.twitter.com/QRCZRvz5ne
“I wasn’t hurt, it was like a flash knockdown. I threw a right, I didn’t see his right, got me down, what do you do? You get back up, simple, I wasn’t hurt at all,” Tszyu said.
“I was a bit too relaxed coming in, I didn’t understand, I wasn’t too pumped. I was too mellow.
“Usually before my fight I’m nervous, getting in that zone. It took me two rounds to get in that zone.
“It didn’t kick in, and then after the knockdown I’m like ‘OK, I’m going to fight now, I need to wake up and get my s--- together’.
“It was a good experience to miss the shots, take the shots, being able to see the shots and then slowly start putting the pressure on and breaking him down.
“One round I got him with a few shots and he was nearly ready to go, and then again in the later rounds I could feel him with the body shots I was landing, he was going ‘Uh, uh, uh’, making these moaning noises.
“From round three onwards, I wouldn’t say one-way traffic, he was landing a few shots, but I felt in control the whole time.”
Gausha (22-3-1, 11KO), has never been knocked out in his 25-fight professional career.
Tszyu had him hurt badly in the fourth and fifth rounds with overhand rights, and consistently punished his rival’s body.
The pair went to war in the eighth round and traded huge shots, bringing a raucous reaction from the crowd of more than 4000 people.
Tszyu walked Gausha down in the final rounds and the pair went punch for punch as the final bell rang.
One American fan uttered after the bout: “He’s not all hype man.”
TSZYU V GAUSHA: RE-LIVE THE FIGHT BELOW
Round 12
Welcome to the big time, Tim Tszyu! The 27-year-old is pouring it on in the final round, digging and ripping into the 34-year-old’s aging body. But Gausha returns fire. Both men trading in the centre of the ring. Tszyu finishes strong as both men embrace after the final bell and Fenech thinks that could be “fight of the year”. Tim Tszyu wins US debut!
"He kept landing shots and I just thought 'fuck it, I'm gonna keep coming forward and fighting.'" #TszyuGausha#Boxingpic.twitter.com/sec2wCgblf
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) March 27, 2022
Round 11
Big round from Tim tszyu! Gausha hardly throwing anything and he is eating plenty. Tszyu famous gas tank is on show.
Round 10
Tszyu is struggling to land clean shots through Gausha’s tight high guard. Tszyu needs to crush his body if he wants tear down his opponent’s guard and go head-hunting. The great Jeff Fenech says it could go either way right now. Tszyu may just be ahead but you can never tell with Judges until you see the cards.
Round 9
The fight remains on the edges of the ring with Tszyu pressuring and Gausha absorbing the ounches before countering. Extremely close fight with three to go.
Round 8
What a stink this is. Tszyu and Gausha are going to war in The Armory, trading bombs for the final minute of the round. Tszyu hit Gausha with an uppercut that wobbled the American’s ears. Frightening.
Round 7
Tszyu is starting to find a home for his counter right hand but wears one from Gausha. The American has recovered but his punches can’t hurt the Aussie. Interesting round. Gausha may have stolen that despite backpedalling for most of the three minutes.
Round 6
Gausha has never been dropped or stopped in his professional career - that looks like it could change very shortly. Tszyu has likely levelled the score cards after six rounds. The Aussie is in complete control now.
Round 5
What a comeback! Tszyu launches a violent assault on Gausha and the American looks like a beaten man. How did he stay up? Tszyu showing incredible heart after being outclassed in the earlier rounds.
Round 4
Gausha goes down! Referee Nelson calls it a slip but the American is badly hurt to the body. Brilliant shot from Tszyu. Shocking decision from the ref but Gausha eventually wilts under the pressure and hits the canvas. Great round from Tszyu and Jeff Fenech has predicted a sixth round KO to Tszyu.
Round 3
Gausha is putting on a defensive masterclass. Tszyu is controlling the ring but is yet to throw any body punching combinations. It could be 3-0 to Gausha (plus the 10-8 knockdown).
Round 2
Tszyu has a small cut on his hairline that could be telling as the fight progresses. Tszyu lands his first body shot of the night but Gausha is picking his shots nicely behind his impenetrable defence.
Round 1: Tszyu v Gausha
Battle of the jabs in the opening round. Gausha very busy behind his long jab. DROPPED! Tszyu hits the canvas. Gausha turning it on as Tszyu weathers a huge storm.
1.49pm TSZYU V GAUSHA JUST MOMENTS AWAY
Michel ‘Ali’ Rivera - who is the spitting image of Muhammad Ali - survived a shocking low blow win a unamimous decision over Joseph Adorno.
And it’s time for the main event! Tim Tszyu is just moments away from his US debut.
1pm WHY TSZYU LOSS WOULD BE ULTIMATE EMBARRASSMENT
Tim Tszyu is almost an unbackable favourite to beat Terrell Gausha with betting markets tipping the Aussie to win his US debut.
Tszyu is currently $1.07 on the TAB, his price dropping rapidly in the lead up to the fight.
Gausha, a two-time Olympian with 25 fights, is paying $8 to upset Tszyu despite fighting in his home country.
Tszyu’s short price adds another layer of pressure with several boxing analysts calling for the Aussie to search for the knockout to avoid boxing’s questionable judging.
Should Tszyu fail to walk away with the victory he will face an uphill battle to resurrect his career in the United States.
12.47pm ‘STOP THE FIGHT’: FENECH
Elvis Rodriguez dropped Juan Jose Velasco multiple times on his way to a TKO, with Australian boxing royalty Jeff Fenech calling for the fight to be stopped two rounds before the round 7 stoppage.
At one point Velasco shock his head at the referee while he was on the canvas, implying he didn’t want continue.
But the referee called him up to keep going. Fenech slammed the official while ringside at The Armory.
12.16pm AUSSIE’S BRUTAL VICTORY ON TSZYU CARD
Joe Goodall wants a showdown with Justis Huni in June.
The undefeated Australian heavyweight produced a first round knockout in his American debut against Mathew McKinney with a thunderous body shot, on the non-televised undercard of Tim Tszyu’s showdown against Terrell Gausha.
Goodall and Australian heavyweight champion Huni have been negotiating for a fight for some time.
“Hopefully it’s the Huni fight, they wanted the fight, I don’t understand what the hold-up is,” Goodall said.
“There’s a lot of politics in boxing.
“It’s still in the works, I won’t say they’re ducking me, but they were jumping out to fight me so if they pass on me now it’s pretty obvious.”
Huni’s promoter Dean Lonergan is eager to make the fight happen.
“We are trying to tie down a date with Fox Sports right now, mid to late June is the time frame we are looking at, in Brisbane,” Lonergan said.
Australia’s Joe Goodall has won his fight by first round body shot stoppage at #TszyuGausha
— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) March 26, 2022
“Joe Goodall is the perfect opponent for Justis after he fights Kiki luetele on May 11, which is the co-main feature to Jai Opetaia’s world title fight against Māiris Briedis on the Gold Coast.
“Team Huni very much appreciates Joe Goodall’s willingness to step up and take the fight with Justis, no other Australian heavyweight has shown the balls or willingness to get in the ring with the best Australian heavyweight ever.”
Goodall moves to 8-0-1 (7KO), and this was his sixth first round knockout.
It was also his first fight under famed trainer Kevin Barry, who guided Joseph Parker to the world heavyweight title.
“People don’t realise how powerful Joe is, I’ve had him sparring some of the best, undefeated prospects in the heavyweight division and he has tested them,” Barry said.
“Joe versus Huni is a great, tough fight.
“Huni is the golden boy of Australian heavyweight boxing, everyone is talking about him, and Joe is like the mongrel dog, everyone has forgotten what he achieved in the amateurs when he was Australia’s No.1 amateur.”
Lonergan added: “Joe Goodall did very well today against very limited opposition. When he gets in the ring against Justus Huni he will need to step up many, many levels, however under the guidance of Kevin Barry, Joe will be improving every day, with access to world class sparring in Las Vegas.
“We are expecting a very tough, very close fight from the two best heavyweights in Australia, with both fighters at the peak of their game.
“No other heavyweight in Australia comes close to both the amateur and professional pedigree of both fighters.”
10:45am AUSTRALIA HAS A NEW BOXING CHAMP
By Jamie Pandaram
Australia has a new boxing world champion and a huge new rivalry after Ebanie Bridges claimed the IBF bantamweight title with a 10-round win over Maria Cecilia Roman in Leeds.
Immediately, fellow Australia Shannon “Shotgun” O’Connell demanded Bridges defend the belt against her.
“I feel I deserve the title fight next, I am the No.1 ranked fighter in the IBF bantamweight division but I didn’t get this fight so I should get the next chance,” O’Connell told News Corp Australia.
“That would be a huge fight in Australia.”
Bridges, 35, dominated the judges’ scorecards, prevailing 100-91, 97-93 and 97-93 to win the belt, on the undercard of the Josh Warrington vs Kiko Martinez bout in front of 12,000 fans.
“Firstly, can I just say, can I f***ing fight or what?” Bridges said.
“F*** you guys who think I can’t fight, because I can f***ing fight.
“I can box, I can fight and I can look hot on the scales.”
“Hopefully everyone here loved that fight, that it was entertaining.”
Bridges, who has gained a huge following for her racy weigh-in outfits and charismatic social media posts, now has a record of 8-1 (3KO).
The Sydneysider also recently competed in the SAS Australia television show, and is a former mathematics teacher and bodybuilder.
WHAT. A. FIGHT 👠pic.twitter.com/SuojQMbTV1
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 26, 2022
The 39-year-old O’Connell (22-6-1, 10KO) is on a seven-fight win streak.
Bridges, who has become even more popular in the United Kingdom than her home country, outworked Roman throughout their title clash.
Bridges was the busier of the two in the early stages and while she allowed Roman to unload in the final round she’d built a comfortable lead and had her hand raised by the referee after a tough and exciting war.
“I love that kind of fight, I know they’re not the fights you’re supposed to really have, but I love those kind of fights,” Bridges said.
“They’re entertaining for the fans.
“That’s what I’m about, I’m about entertaining, and for me, that was so fun.
“That was a tough fight. Cecilia is a champion and she brought it, and that was awesome,” Bridges said.
“This belt represents everything: all the heartbreaks, all the sacrifice, all the training, everything. That’s what this belt represents to me.
“I feel extremely happy because it means that everything that I’ve sacrificed and all the work that I’ve put in has been worth it.
“I feel proud of myself, very proud.”
Bridges’ promoter Eddie Hearn said she had numerous options for her title defence including a rematch against England’s Shannon Courtenay, who defeated Bridges in April 2021 for the vacant WBA bantamweight title.
That is the sole loss in Bridges’ career.
Also on the undercard, Australian Olympian Skye Nicolson won her second pro fight easily against Bec Connolly.
Nicolson, who made the quarter-finals at the Tokyo Games and also claimed the gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, claimed a unanimous decision victory to move to 2-0.
10am GAUSHA’S SECRET WEAPON
The man who orchestrated one of the greatest upsets in boxing history is preparing a similar blitz on Tim Tszyu.
Manny Robles, who coached Andy Ruiz to knock out Anthony Joshua and become world heavyweight champion in 2019, is in the corner of Tszyu’s opponent, Terrell Gausha.
And the hottest rumour doing the rounds in the United States this week is that Gausha has been smashing his sparring partner, none other than Brian Castano, holder of the WBO super-welterweight title for which Tszyu is No.1 contender.
Robles, the former world trainer of the year, is considered one of the sharpest minds in boxing and believes like 20-1 underdog Ruiz, Gausha will stun the world by defeating heavy betting favourite Tszyu at The Armory in Minneapolis.
“Terrell’s an Olympian (2012), he’s fought the best, if you look at his resume, with all due respect compared to Tim Tszyu’s, you can’t compare them,” Robles said.
“His claim to fame is Jeff Horn, you know what I mean? Enough said.”
Gausha and Robles exuded immense confidence talking to News Corp Australia after Friday’s weigh-in; both fighters came under the 154 pound (69.85kg) super-welterweight limit with Tszyu at 153.4lbs (69.58kg) and Gausha 153.2lbs (69.49kg).
Originally published as Tim Tszyu defeats Terrell Gausha in ‘fight of the year’ contender
Anthem drama erupts amid boxing farce
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