Tim Tszyu fires back at the haters, reveals what’s next in path to undisputed world title
American pundits were not impressed with Tim Tszyu’s world title win. It’s only fuelling his desire to claim more belts, writes BRENDAN BRADFORD.
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“Haters gonna hate … stuff ’em.”
That’s Tim Tszyu’s reaction to the criticism he has received in America following his TKO win over Tony Harrison on Sunday.
Tszyu was on another level in stopping Harrison in the ninth round to claim the interim WBO super welterweight world title.
Negotiations will now get underway between Tszyu’s promoters, No Limit Boxing, and undisputed super welterweight world champion Jermell Charlo’s PBC promoters, with the Sydneysider hoping to set-up a fight in Las Vegas in July.
But it seems American pundits weren’t all that impressed with Tszyu’s performance.
Charlo called it “flat” while former world champion Ishe Smith – who lost to Harrison in 2018 – said Charlo would “have a field day” with Tszyu.
Speaking two days after the bout, Tszyu laughed off the criticism.
“Haters are always gonna hate,” he said. “There’s always gonna be critics and people putting me down.
“Stuff ’em, that’s what I say.
“It’s just talk. What more could I have done, man? That was a statement right there. If it went to a decision, then, whatever, but that was clear.”
One of his harshest markers – as always – is his old man, with Kostya FaceTiming Tim moments after the victory.
“Dad said, ‘Good job, well done … you made a couple of mistakes’” Tszyu laughed. “Far out, man, haters gonna hate!
“But we caught up, and it was a big moment for him as well. The goal now is to become the best boxing family who ever lived.
“Actually dad’s got a bit softer now. I think I’m my own harshest critic actually.”
Tszyu was in line to fight Charlo for all the belts in January but the American broke his hand just before Christmas last year. The mandatory challenger for Charlo’s WBO belt, Tszyu says the interim title has only made him hungrier for more.
“I feel like this is an achievement. I wake up and I’ve got this belt, and that’s pretty cool,” he said.
“But there’s more. I want all four belts.
“I always knew from the bottom of my heart that this is where I belong.”
First though, Tszyu is heading on a well-earned European holiday, and will be in the stands at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium later this week as Real Madrid hosts Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie.
He won’t be living it up too much though, with another big fight on the horizon.
“I want (Charlo) to be at his best, so whenever he’s ready,” he said.
“Let’s not get too excited and start talking about having another break. I’ll have a week or two off, but (I want Charlo) in July.
“The fight with Charlo is definitely bigger now, for sure. The whole world knows about it. Everyone’s commenting on it and everyone’s got their own opinions. It just makes it even bigger, but I also gained more invaluable experience for what’s ahead.”
George Rose, whose No Limit Promotions has guided Tszyu’s rise for the past four years, admits to getting emotional on Sunday afternoon.
“I was already crying before he got out there,” the former Manly front-rower said. “After everything we put into the event, that was the moment it felt like all the work’s done, now it’s just up to Timmy to finish it off.”
Rose said negotiations with Charlo’s camp will begin over the coming weeks, but is confident that – having worked with the PBC in the past – they can get a deal done.
“We’ve had a really good working relationship with the PBC, and you saw that with the Harrison fight, and we’ll continue that with Charlo,” he said.
“The only curve ball is the hand recovery time for Charlo.”
Not content to be the only one on the end of some stinging criticism, Tszyu fired a couple of barbs back at his next opponent.
“I think Harrison’s a quicker puncher (than Charlo),” he said. “His speed is quicker. His IQ and his sense of timing in defence – he’s able to see shots.
“Charlo, he’s got a different kind of style. He’ll go for that KO.”
Originally published as Tim Tszyu fires back at the haters, reveals what’s next in path to undisputed world title
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