Jeff Horn v Tim Tszyu set to pull more fans than Tyson Fury rematch against Deontay Wilder
Forget Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder or any other potential fights for that matter, Australia is set to have the two biggest drawcards of 2020 - and they will be fighting in front of a fervent home support.
Boxing/MMA
Don't miss out on the headlines from Boxing/MMA. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The “eyes of the world” will be on the Jeff Horn-Tim Tszyu fight, which is now set to outdo the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder rematch and become the biggest live boxing event this year due to COVID.
Queensland’s low rate of infection means organisers anticipate up to 16,000 people to attend the bout on August 26 in Townsville’s outdoor Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The biggest fight of 2020 so far was the Fury-Wilder rematch in Las Vegas in February, drawing 15,816 fans at MGM Grand Garden Arena. While their pay-per-view numbers will dwarf Horn-Tszyu, the Australian event is set to surpass that fight for attendance.
Watch ESPN Ringside Classic Boxing on-demand on KAYO. Louis v Marciano, Ali v Liston, Tyson v Douglas and more. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >
MORE HORN v TSZYU NEWS
Horn warns ‘cocky’ Tszyu to watch out
Betting markets ‘an insult to The Hornet’
Horn-Tszyu will also be beamed to millions around the world after being picked up by major broadcasters across America, Europe and Asia.
With the coronavirus pandemic causing chaos around the world and forcing major bouts to be postponed, including the trilogy fight between heavyweights Fury and Wilder, suddenly Horn vs Tszyu has emerged as boxing’s premier event in the post pandemic world.
Organisers have secured a deal with ESPN to show the fight in the United States, Canada and India, while Fite TV will stream it in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Millions will also tune into the fight in Russia – home of Tszyu’s legendary father Kostya – with public sports channel Match TV signing a deal to screen the event.
While Australia is in the midst of a second wave of coronavirus spreading through Victoria and NSW, Queensland has remained at a low rate of infection, giving the state’s tourism minister Kate Jones huge optimism for the fight’s global traction.
“The eyes of the world will be on the new Townsville Stadium,” Jones said.
A host of major fights had been planned across the world this year but COVID has wreaked havoc on the boxing scene.
The sport’s two biggest pay-per-view earners, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Anthony Joshua, have not been able to fight this year, and may not get the chance due to the ongoing spread of the virus.
Joshua is supposed to defend his heavyweight title against Kubrat Pulev in December in London, while Fury-Wilder 3 is also planned for the same month in Las Vegas.
However, promoters will not stage the bouts without spectators, given the millions they make from live gates, and it looks increasingly likely both bouts will be delayed until 2021.
Tszyu fled Sydney at short notice last weekend to cross the Queensland border, anticipating restrictions that will come into effect on Saturday.
He has now based his fight camp on the Gold Coast.
Horn (20-2-1, 13KO) will have home state advantage but is a big underdog against the undefeated Tszyu (15-0, 11KO) in the super-welterweight contest.
“Queenslanders will turn out in their thousands to back Jeff Horn at our brand new stadium in Townsville,” Jones said.
“We can only do this because we worked together to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
“Whether it’s AFL, rugby league, netball, Supercars or boxing, Queensland is beautiful one day and the events capital the next.
“Having fought in the US and defeated Manny Pacquiao, Jeff Horn is an accomplished champ.
“Tim Tszyu brings with him a huge international fan base thanks to his father’s legacy.”