Boxing fans praise ‘perfect' Welcome to Country ahead of Tim Tszyu fight

A day after Australia resoundingly voted no to the Voice referendum, fans were treated to a moving moment ahead of a title fight.

Uncle Luther Cora. Credit: No Limit Boxing

A day after Australia resoundingly voted No to the Voice referendum, boxing fans were treated to a moving moment.

Ahead of Tim Tszyu’s WBO super welterweight title fight against Brian Mendoza, Uncle Luther Cora delivered a rousing Welcome to Country.

Boxing: Tszyu vs Mendoza SUN 15th OCT 12PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

Cora was praised by fight fans far and wide for delivering a “gracious and inclusive” speech.

“I’d like to pay respects to our elders past and present, I’d also like to pay respect to you guys and your families and your ancestors no matter where you come from,” he said.

After playing the didgeridoo, Cora said: “On behalf of my family I’d like to thank you for letting us share just a very little bit of our culture with you today.

“For those of you who are Australian, this culture, this history, the songs and stories … it all belongs to this land. So it belongs to all of you guys as well. Thank you and welcome.”

Fans in attendance came together to applaud the Welcome to Country and those tuning in where quick to shower Cora with praise for the moment.

One X user wrote: “The Welcome to Country at Tszyu/Mendoza was genuinely the best one I’ve ever seen. Celebratory, gracious and inclusive. Perfect.”

Another wrote: “That was probably the best welcome to country I’ve ever seen.

Well done mate.”

A third added: “That was a cracking welcome to country.”

Uncle Luther Cora. Credit: No Limit Boxing

The Welcome received a major round of applause. Credit: No Limit Boxing

Tszyu put on a show after confirming he was fighting in Australia for the final time on Sunday.

Defending his WBO super welterweight belt for the first time, Tszyu came out spitting fire against Mendoza as they exchanged blows at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre.

He was at his clinical best as he took care of business in the final rounds.

The fight was very nearly over in the 10th round — but Mendoza showed he has a chin made of steel, keeping his feet as he wore a barrage of power shots.

Shawn Porter was providing colour commentary and kept saying: “He’s a bully, he’s a bully.”

The judges awarded Tszyu the win via a unanimous decision of 116-111, 117-111, 116-112.

Tzsyu was at his dominant best on Sunday. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Tszyu immediately called out Jermell Charlo after the win.

“Charlo where you at? Where you at buddy,” Tszyu said.

When asked how he thinks Charlo would respond to his win, Tszyu said: “In his delusional head, he’s probably saying he’d beat me. Come and get it.”

He now gets to have his pick of the division with suggestions he may even look at a different weight class by chasing fights with Errol Spence, Terrence Crawford and Alvarez.

He is making no secret of his plans to move his next fight to Las Vegas.

His powerful Sunday display will make him an attractive main event selling point — even in the foreign US market.

Originally published as Boxing fans praise ‘perfect' Welcome to Country ahead of Tim Tszyu fight