Tim Tszyu and Jeff Horn agree to face-off in epic April fight

It is the much-hyped face-off – and after weeks of negotiations – boxers Tim Tszyu and Jeff Horn will step into a boxing ring in what is being billed as the biggest fight in Australia this year. But what does Tszyu really think of Horn?

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It’s on. After weeks of negotiations, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Tim Tszyu and Jeff Horn have agreed, after weeks of negotiations, to what will be the biggest fight in Australia this year.

Not since the first Anthony Mundine versus Danny Green bout in 2006 has there been a domestic Australian fight where the two top boxers in the country, with the biggest pay-per-view audiences, have faced off in the prime of their careers.

The fight is expected to generate more than $5 million, with Horn taking a 60-40 split of the purse after the protracted negotiations landed in his favour.

Tim Tszyu and Jeff Horn have agreed to face-off inside the boxing ring. Picture: Brett Costello

The winner of the megabout, to take place in April, is guaranteed a top world rating in the super-welterweight division and could fight for the crown next.

And for Tszyu, beating Jeff Horn (pictured right) won’t be enough. Winning a world title will not quench his thirst.

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Undefeated in 15 fights with 11 knockouts, Tszyu faces his toughest challenge in the former world champion Horn and revealed the enormity of his ambition for the first time, planning not only to match his legendary father Kostya’s achievements but surpass them as a multiple division champion.

“I’m always focused, I never switch off, I can’t rest, I can’t have a break, I can’t just sit there when I know I have such a big year ahead of me,” Tszyu said.

“My goals and aspirations are bigger than most people ever dream of, and these goals are very achievable this year.

“I’m a big critic of myself, right now random people come up to me and say ‘Congratulations on your success’, in my eyes I haven’t reached anything yet, I haven’t done anything in this world.

Horn successfully asked for a 60-40 split of the prizemoney. Picture: Dan Peled

“For me, even a world title isn’t success. The ultimate goals are something unreachable, something you’re always striving for, that’s what I’ve always been like, a hard critic, always working on yourself.

“Be someone who you weren’t yesterday, keep striving for something. That’s what allows me to keep hungry and not be able to relax.

“If the ultimate goal was just to win a world title, what’s next? You’re finished. For example, Tyson Fury, he won the undisputed (heavyweight) championship when he beat Wladimir Klitschko (in 2015), he lost his hunger and he fell into depression because your whole life you’re made to believe you’re meant to reach this one certain goal.

A young Tim with his father, former Australian boxing champion Kostya Tszyu.

Tszyu with his girlfriend Alexandra Constantine. Picture: Christian Gilles

“But you have to keep reaching for the stars.

“My dad went through the ceiling, above the stars, to be the only person to become that undisputed champion and reign for 10 years.

“So for me, a world title is just a stepping stone as well.”

“The reason I started boxing was to have super fights, win world titles,” he said.

“For me, this is a regional fight with a big audience. My opponent has competed on the world stage, but I don’t believe he’s world class.

“There’s harder fights out there, there’s tougher opponents out there, Jeff Horn is just a stepping stone. I’m climbing the mountain and this is another step in the mountain.

“I’m excited it’s on a big platform and people will see it.”

Many, including Horn, believe that while Tszyu is immensely talented, he’ll never match his father’s feats.

“People are always going to say that, every one of my opponents has said that and look what happened to them,” Tszyu said. “Everyone’s thoughts change when they get hit in the face.”

Originally published as Tim Tszyu and Jeff Horn agree to face-off in epic April fight