Tim Tszyu and Keith Thurman let rip as sledges and threats fly at wild first press conference

Keith Thurman stole the show at a wild first press conference with Tim Tszyu, promising to send the Aussie back to Sydney, saying, “Sorry, pops, I messed up”.

If their first press conference is anything to go by, it’s going to be a wild build-up between Tim Tszyu and Keith Thurman. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Tim Tszyu stepped to the microphone in Los Angeles and boldly welcomed the boxing world to a new era, but it was a flashy and flamboyant Keith Thurman who stole the show in their wild first press conference.

The former unified welterweight world champion promised to close the gates on Tszyu’s “new era” and send the Sydneysider back to Australia with his “tail between his legs” and saying, “sorry, pops, I messed up.”

Tszyu will make his long-awaited Las Vegas debut against Thurman on March 30 (March 31 in Australia), at T-Mobile Arena, and he boldly predicted a changing of the guards from the 35-year-old Thurman to himself.

“I know what he’s done, but his time has come, this is a different era,” Tszyu proclaimed. “This is the Tim Tszyu era.

“I aspire to the throwback fighters. Fighters these days, in this modern era, they’re just a bunch of p*****s.

“In the 2000s, everyone just fought the best. That’s what I am.”

Tszyu added: “I don’t plan on just beating Thurman, but I plan on putting a spectacle that he’s never seen. I want those big names – (Errol) Spence and (Terence) Crawford.

“Welcome to the Tim Tszyu era.”

Tszyu promised the dawn of a new era in boxing. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It was a bold statement from the Aussie in his first big presser in the US, and showed he wasn’t overawed by the moment.

But then Thurman took the microphone and put on a performance for the ages.

“You already know what time it is, it’s your boy Keith Thurman in the building,” he raged. “This boy’s coming from Australia, I love something new.

“They say you’re coming from Down Under, and I am trying to put you under, mate.

“He might’ve signed that contract, but, boy, you don’t know what you just did, boy. Bitter for you and sweet for me!”

Nicknamed ‘One Time’ Thurman wasn’t done there.

It’s been nearly two years since the American’s last fight, and he seemed to be making up for lost time. m

“I want great fights and great action, and Tim’s filling that void right now,” he went on. “He’s providing me with the fight and the excitement I want.

“He’s coming – young, undefeated, determined – trying to open up the gates to his new era, the new generation.

“But it’s my job to close the door shut right in his face.

“I want him to go back tail tucked to his daddy in Australia, saying, ‘Sorry, pops, I’m sorry. The Tszyu name, I messed up, I didn’t know he was that bad’.”

Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman put on a show in his first presser with Tim Tszyu. Picture: Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

The pair kept jawing at each other as the presser came to a close as well, with Tszyu promising to use his walk-forward, Mexican style to deliver a knockout.

“Bring that energy to the fight,” Tszyu said calmly. “Mark my words, I will knock you out in 12 rounds.

“I’ve got a Mexican style, but Mexican styles are one of the greatest in the world, so don’t be disrespecting Mexican style. Don’t be running like a gazelle.”

Thurman hit back: “You’re gonna get more than energy, you’re gonna get these hands, baby, all up in your face!

“Your fat feet are slow. Australia, that’s a small little island, very far away. I did not know flat footed Mexicans were born in Australia.

“Mexican Tszyu, whatcha gonna do?! Mexican Tszyu, whatcha gonna do?!

“I ain’t lost to no Mexican. Watch more tape if you wanna debate. I’ll be right there, I won’t be hard to find.”

The fireworks continued during their face-off, with Thurman trash-talking Tszyu as they stood nose-to-nose before the American made a throat-slitting gesture.

The rest of the star-studded card was largely reduced to an afterthought as Thurman and Tszyu went back and forth.

Three more world titles will be on the line on March 30, with fellow Aussie Michael Zerafa challenging WBA middleweight world champion Erislandy Lara.

Zerafa wasn’t on hand for the press conference, but Lara – who is the oldest reigning world champion at the age of 40 – is extremely confident.

“I don’t feel I need to prove much,” Lara said. “I just need to showcase who I am, and I don’t think I’m going to have much trouble with him.

“It comes down to experience.”

Zerafa remained in Australia to continue his preparations alongside former world champion Nonito Donaire, before heading to Las Vegas for the last six weeks of camp.

Speaking to Main Event’s Ben Damon after the presser, the 31-year-old hit back at Lara’s comments.

“Look, 31 people before him have said the same thing, and 31 people have fallen short,” he said. “I didn’t really understand what he was saying, he doesn’t speak much English.

“I like that he thinks like that. I like that he thinks I’m going to be an easy fight. A lot of people have thought the same thing, but when they’re in there with me, they feel a different thing.

“I like being the underdog, I’m going in there with nothing to lose and everything to gain, and I’m more than certain that I’m going to stop him.”

Originally published as Tim Tszyu and Keith Thurman let rip as sledges and threats fly at wild first press conference