Tim Tszyu is ‘selfish, arrogant’ - Jack Brubaker slams rival ahead of fight
An irritated Tim Tszyu says Jack Brubaker is living in a dream world and treating a serious business as a game, but in turn his boxing rival says Tszyu is putting fans to sleep.
Boxing/MMA
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Tim Tszyu has slammed Jack Brubaker as a Conor McGregor wannabe, while his rival believes the son of Kostya has let fame get to his head and has become arrogant.
A war of words has erupted between the two Australian fighters 10 days before they square off in the ring, with both accusing the other of being a fraud.
“He’s a clown,” Tszyu said.
“The problem these days is people watch too much television and YouTube, Jack’s like that, he’s been watching too much YouTube, he’s been watching too much Conor McGregor.
“He’s living in dream world. Once reality hits, it’s going to be a whole different game.
“I want him to feel it. He’s only been hit by welterweights, wait until he gets hit by a big super-welterweight.”
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But Brubaker fired back: “Tim’s not going to get anywhere with that arrogant attitude.
“We went to the Jai Opetaia fight the other night, I went around shaking hands with people and soaking it all in, I don’t think Tim came out from backstage.
“He rocked up backstage, did an interview and left. He’s supposed to be one of the faces of Australian boxing.
“I thought that was pretty arrogant and selfish to not even go and shake a few hands in one of the big nights for Australian boxing.
“I don’t like him. I might be confident and cocky, but at least I’m real.”
Tszyu (14-0, 10KO) fights Brubaker (16-2-2, 8KO) fight at Darling Harbour’s ICC Exhibition Centre on December 6, but Brubaker is already relishing the opportunity to fight Michael Zerafa, whose rematch against Jeff Horn takes place on December 18 in Brisbane.
“Me and Zerafa might be moving to middleweight, I might challenge Zerafa for the top dog spot in Australia - he’s entertaining, he’s a great fighter,” Brubaker said.
“As far as I’m concerned Tim and Jeff Horn can fight for the bronze medal. Imagine that press conference, talking about each other: ‘I’m going to fight you’. ‘I’m going to fight you’. ‘See you soon’. No one wants to see that stuff, it’s boring.
“Boxing is an entertainment sport.
“I’m an entertaining fighter, an entertaining personality, Tim’s been saying he’s going to knock me out but the only people he’s putting to sleep are the reporters and the fans.
“Tim can say all he wants in his monotone, quiet boring personality but when we get in the ring and my excitement comes out, and we’re biting down on the mouthguards, we’ll see who takes a backward step first.”
Tszyu was visibly annoyed when during his press conference in Waterloo on Tuesday, Brubaker stepped in to answer a question, after which the pair had a tense face-to-face showdown.
“The other fighters have been respectful and professional, that’s one thing I’ve learned about boxing and with my upbringing, you’ve always got to show respect,” Tszyu said.
“For him this is a game, a promotion. For me this is serious business.
“I’m not going to interrupt him, he can do what he wants but he’s not going to get inside my head.”
Originally published as Tim Tszyu is ‘selfish, arrogant’ - Jack Brubaker slams rival ahead of fight
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