Jeff Fenech says Tim Tszyu has the tools to surpass his father and become an Aussie boxing legend

Kostya Tszyu is regarded as one of the two Australian boxing immortals. But the other great believes Kostya’s son, Tim, is on the path to surpassing his father on his quest for greatness.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 13: Tim Tszyu poses at Sanctum Forge Boxing Gym on June 13, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Jeff Fenech has delivered a stunning assessment of Tim Tszyu, declaring the ‘Soul Taker’ has the skill to surpass his father Kostya and become one of the greats of Australian boxing.

Tszyu will continue his irrepressible surge to a unification blockbuster with American king Jermell Charlo when the Sydneysider faces dangerous Mexican Carlos Ocampo on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

It will be Tszyu’s debut on the Glitter Strip and the unbeaten son of Kostya (22-0, 16KO) has pledged to dish out a Mexican mauling to Ocampo (35-2, 23KO) ahead of his date with destiny with super welterweight king Charlo.

Hall-of-famer Fenech and Kostya Tszyu are regarded as two of Australia‘s boxing immortals, but the ‘Marrickville Mauler’ says Tim has the tools to rise to greatness and potentially usurp his famous father.

Tim Tszyu has arrived on the Gold Coast ahead of his world-title showdown with Carlos Ocampo on Sunday.

“To be honest I believe Tim will be one of the greats of Australian boxing,” said Fenech, who will headline Fox’s Main Event coverage of Sunday’s Tszyu-Ocampo showdown.

“Kostya was one of our greats but with all respect to Kostya, he was a great puncher, but apart from the power punch, I think Tim has got everything his dad has and more.

“Tim is getting better and better and, for me, he is the total package.

“It‘s a big statement to say Tim can be better than Kostya, but he will certainly forge and create his own legacy and it won’t be because he is Kostya’s boy, that’s for sure.

WATCH: AUSTRALIA’S TIM TSZYU HAS HANDPICKED RUGGED MEXICAN WARRIOR CARLOS OCAMPO FOR THE TOUGHEST TEST OF HIS CAREER.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FIGHT

Four-division champion Jeff Fenech says Tim Tszyu can be one of Australia’s boxing greats.

“People think he is there because of his dad but that’s rubbish, Tim has made it because he is Tim f***ing Tszyu — not his father’s son.”

Once again, Tszyu will roll the dice against Ocampo, just as he did in March when he took a risk by facing Tony Harrison, and duly bludgeoned the American to win the interim WBO super welterweight world title.

The WBO has ordered Charlo to face Tszyu before this October, but the four-belt unification blockbuster could sensationally collapse if Ocampo stages a boilover at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

Fenech, however, says Tszyu’s fighting style will outlast Ocampo to continue the legacy of his father Kostya, who beat five Mexicans in his decorated career, including the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez (107-6-2, 85KO).

“Tim’s strength is that he fights like a Mexican, he punches more than anyone else and that’s why he will win this fight,” Fenech said.

“All Mexicans are the same. They will stand there and come forward and get hit.

“Tim is in for the toughest fight of his career because Ocampo will come at him.

Carlos Ocampo (left) is rated a dangerous Mexican opponent for Tszyu.

“But Tim is the classiest and fittest guy in his division and Ocampo will find that in the ring.

“All Tim’s previous opponents dismiss him and think they can beat him, but even Harrison wasn’t used to Tim’s constant pressure and the volume of punches he throws.

“Ocampo is a dangerous fighter and it’s the perfect build-up for Charlo.”

Fenech is adamant the 28-year-old Tszyu can dethrone Charlo to become Australia’s unification icon.

“For Tim to beat Harrison so easily, it has to put the fear of God into Charlo,” he said.

“Charlo had two tough fights against Harrison and lost to him, but Tim played with Harrison and won basically every round.

“Tim has a style nobody else can handle and he just keeps finding another gear.

“He is ready for the biggest stage of all, which is facing Charlo and I really do believe he can beat him.”

Originally published as Jeff Fenech says Tim Tszyu has the tools to surpass his father and become an Aussie boxing legend