Tim Tszyu calls out ‘greedy’ Jeff Horn over bout delay
A frustrated Tim Tszyu has told Jeff Horn to stop “whingeing” and sign the deal that will give Australia its most anticipated fight since Green v Mundine. PLUS, the alcohol-free NRL star. It’s all in SAINT, SINNER, SHOOSH.
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SAINT
NEVER has this column been blessed with so many Saints. The bushfire crisis has brought the best out in our sporting heroes with stars from all our major codes digging deep. It is difficult to single one out but Shane Warne deserves a special mention for donating his prized and one-and-only baggy green.
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SINNER
YOU know you are in the bad books when your mum storms the court to give you a spray. Stefanos Tsitsipas proved himself to be yet another tennis brat when he “accidentally” hit his father with his racquet during a temper tantrum at the ATP Cup. The young Greek copped a public serve from his mother after the violent outburst during his loss to Australia’s Nick Kyrgios.
SHOOSH
WHICH star player is facing a $200,000-a-year pay cut should he decided to stay loyal to his club? Despite having his best season, the player has been offered less instead of more. There will be no shortage of suitors should he snub the deal.
SHOOSH II
SHANE Flanagan might be making Paul McGregor a tad nervous. McGregor’s newly appointed assistant at the Dragons, Flanagan this week publicly declared his desire to become a head coach. McGregor will need a strong season start to keep his job safe.
SHOOSH III
WHICH NRL recruit is in for a torrid time when he faces his former club later this year? The star left on bitter terms and a few of his ex-teammates can’t wait to line him up.
SHOOSH IV
WHICH Sydney-based NRL club considered an 11th-hour offer for Latrell Mitchell that could have sunk the South Sydney deal? Unfortunately for Latrell — and possibly the club — the powerbroker behind the play was overruled by the club’s retention committee.
SPOTTED
DYLAN Walker and fiancee Alexandra Ivkovic enjoying lunch at a cafe in Surry Hills. We are glad the couple have well and truly moved on after the Manly star was cleared of a domestic assault charge.
SPOTTED II
SHARKS stars Aaron Woods and Josh Morris having a quiet beer with a couple of Roosters in Paddington last week. Following a day at the SCG to watch the Aussies cane the Kiwis, Woods and Morris caught up with Victor Radley and Brett Morris.
TIM CALLS OUT HORN
ANYWHERE, anytime — and for any price.
A frustrated Tim Tszyu has told Jeff Horn to stop “whingeing” and sign the deal that will give Australia its most anticipated fight since Danny Green and Anthony Mundine first went to war.
Dismissing reports that he is unhappy with a proposed 60-40 split in Horn’s favour, the son of a gun accused his rival of being “greedy” by stalling to maximise what could be the Queenslander’s last payday.
“I don’t care about the split,” Tszyu said. “It can be whatever he wants. The only thing I care about is beating the best in Australia so I can then go and take on the world.
“I entered this sport to become the best. Not to earn money. There are things that come with becoming the best, but I didn’t come to this sport to make money out of it.”
Out to replicate the feats of his famous father Kostya, undefeated middleweight Tszyu said Horn was preventing him from conquering the world.
“Horn is the No.1 guy in Australia and I need to clean out Australia before taking on the world,” Tszyu said.
“I have to beat Horn before I go on to bigger and better things. That is the only reason I want this fight.’’
Despite suggestions that the deal had almost been done, Tszyu claimed he was still in the dark.
“I am not sure what (Horn) is thinking,” Tszyu said. “Maybe he is being greedy, I don’t know. I really don’t care. I am only 25 years old and have my whole career in front of me. I think his road is coming to an end.”
Winning all of his 15 professional fights, Tszyu said he would be ready to fight tomorrow should a deal be struck.
“I am used to being active and I like to know what is in front of me,” Tszyu said.
“I just want to get a date and get ready to go. I am a little frustrated. I am just waiting for the whingers to work it all out.
CHEERS TO SOBER JACK
AN NRL player has been praised by his coach and a member of the public for drinking beer. Yep, that’s right, beer.
Panthers prop Jack Hetherington was spotted on New Year’s Eve filling his trolley with alcohol-free beer.
We received a lovely note during the week from a liquor store attendant praising
Hetherington for his manners and his commitment to pre-season training.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary revealed Hetherington was on a self-imposed booze ban.
“He hasn’t made a song and dance about it but he has been off the grog since November,’’ Cleary said. “He has made a decision and is determined to make the most of everything after missing so much last year with injury.
“My brother in-law Josh Stuart also drinks that stuff (alcohol-free beer) and he reckons it tastes pretty good. Apparently, it has come a long way, but I will still be giving it a miss.’’
JOHNSTON STAYING PUT
ALEX Johnston has no plans to leave South Sydney, with the fullback intent on seeing out the final year of his deal.
Reported to be in the firing line as the Rabbitohs hunt Latrell Mitchell, Johnston is adamant he will be at Redfern this year.
Johnston’s manager Steve Gillis said the Rabbitohs were not attempting to move the speedster on. “No one has ever spoken to either him or me about it,’’ Gillis said.
“And I certainly have not had an offer from another club. He will be at Souths this year.’’
WAKEHAM’S NEW DEAL
THE Bulldogs are manoeuvring to secure their playmaking future by signing rising star Brandon Wakeham to a new deal.
Tipped for big things after a stellar junior career, Wakeham is expected to be offered a contract in coming weeks.
The cashed-up Bulldogs won’t be hitting the market to find a replacement for Kieran Foran at the end of the year, with the Kennel chock-a-block with playmaking talent.
Recruited from the Eels last year, the teenage No.7 Bailey Biondi-Odo is considered a long-term prospect and might even get an NRL start this year.
THAT’S GOLD, GARY
NATHAN Lyon’s name is now forever etched in gold at the SCG — not once but twice.
Going into last week’s third Test against the hapless Kiwis, Lyon had failed to bag a five-wicket haul at the SCG on a wicket renown for spin.
But after taking 10 wickets against New Zealand, Lyon now has back-to-back entries on the honours board after becoming just the fifth bowler in history to achieve the feat at the hallowed ground, with returns of 5-68 and 5-50.
Engraver John Perkins had to make a special trip to the SCG on his day off to immortalise Lyon in ink — and his access to the board was delayed slightly due to a much-deserved all-afternoon party in the neighbouring Australian dressing sheds.
UFC STAR’S KNOCKOUT OFFER
THE FORMER backyard brawler with the UFC’s fastest-ever finish to a fight is coming to Australia to help knock out the bushfires.
Set to land in Australia next month for a speaking tour, reigning UFC Fighter of the Year Jorge Masvidal has offered to do even more than donate a proportion of his pay cheque.
“I am going to look at it as a workout and go into the bushfires and move buckets of water around,’’ the American 35-year-old said.
“I am willing to do whatever it takes and I am not a shy individual when it comes to hard work. If I can save someone’s home or life by putting out a fire, then let’s do it.
“I am hoping the fires are out by the time I get there, but I heard they will still be going and that is f###ing mind-blowing insane.’’
The UFC’s third-ranked welterweight, Masvidal also vowed to bring the likes of Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz to Australia for a superfight.
“I am waiting for my next opponent, still,’’ said Masvidal, whose five-second knockout of Ben Askren last July — courtesy of a flying knee to the skull — put him in the record books.
“McGregor is definitely on my agenda for this year and I want that fight.
“And I would love to fight in Australia. I have fought in nearly all the places I want to fight except Australia. It is on my bucket list.’’
The “Evening with Jorge Masvidal” tour starts in Melbourne on February 12.
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ROOSTERS ALREADY HAVE THEIR NEW TRELL
BILLY Smith is set to become the Roosters’ next Latrell Mitchell, with Trent Robinson earmarking the 20-year-old as the club’s next long-term centre.
The Roosters aren’t in the market to replace Mitchell with an established star, and Smith is expected to be given first crack at becoming the Roosters next backline star.
A Kensington Saints Junior who fought his way back from a knee injury to make his NRL debut last year, Smith has turned heads during the pre-season and the club is already manoeuvring to extend his deal.
The Roosters may not have walked away from negotiations with Mitchell had Smith not been waiting in the wings.
“I’d love to play consistent first grade next season,’’ Smith said.
“I’m still learning the trade and my craft from the coaching staff and senior players, but I’m not training to play New South Wales Cup. I want a spot, wherever that may be.
“I just have to work hard, train well and impress.”
Originally published as Tim Tszyu calls out ‘greedy’ Jeff Horn over bout delay
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