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Tim Tszyu sets up Brian Castano world title fight with win over Takeshi Inoue

Tim Tszyu's win over Takeshi Inoue has him perfectly placed to fight for a world title - here's how, when and why that could happen.

Jamie Pandaram and Rich Lamberton
3 min read
November 18, 2021 - 12:41PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Tim Tszyu has revealed he wants to fight Brian Castano in the United States to become world champion, after demolishing Takeshi Inoue over 12 rounds on Wednesday night.

Tszyu was ready to make a statement to the world, and so he did by breaking down granite-chinned Takeshi Inoue over 12 rounds before putting the super-welterweight kings on notice.

First would be WBO champion Brian Castano, for who Tszyu is the No.1 mandatory challenger.

"I would like to take [his title] in the US and then bring it back to Australia, do it the right way," Tszyu said.

Watch Tim Tszyu vs Takeshi Inoue LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo and Foxtel, Wednesday 17th November from 7pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >

"It has always been a dream of mine, since I was a young kid, to fight over there."

Tszyu improved his perfect record to 20-0 (15KO) with a dominant victory over Inoue, winning 120-107, 120-107, 119-108 on the judges’ cards after 12 brutal rounds.

He then announced in the ring: “Finish your honeymoons, get in the gym, start training, because I’m coming for all of you, every single one of you."

Tim Tszyu just misses with an overhand right.
Tim Tszyu just misses with an overhand right.

Tszyu dropped Inoue in the 12th round with a right hand as Inoue stumbled backward and chased him around the ring until the final bell.

The 27-year-old Australian retained his WBO Global and WBO Asia-Pacific super-welterweight titles while handing Inoue (17-2-1, 10KO) his second defeat, the first was to undefeated world champion Jaime Munguia.

Tszyu had risked his shot at Castano, and the expected $2 million pay-day that comes with it, by taking on Inoue.

He is already the No.1 mandatory challenger, but not to worry, he had Inoue’s measure from the opening bell, in front of a raucous crowd of 10,752 people at Qudos Bank Arena.

Tszyu tested Inoue’s chin with the uppercut in the first round.

By the second, a large welt had developed over Inoue’s left eye from Tszyu’s right hooks.

In round three he tagged Inoue with a flush straight right, then landed two striking uppercuts and body shots.

Tszyu then concentrated on the body in round four, before rocking Inoue with several uppercuts in round five after catching him with back turned off a break and then pounding him in the corner.

Inoue let out a pained gasp at the end of the sixth round after being smashed to the body with a hook.

He was wobbled in the seventh and generally overpowered.

Considering Inoue’s size, it was surprising to see Tszyu walk him down with ease and push him backwards.

Tszyu nullified Inoue’s greatest weapon, the overhand right, with brilliant defence, smirking each time Inoue missed the punch or had it blocked.

While Tszyu has earned the moniker “Soul Taker” for his thudding body blows, he showed a zest for the uppercut in this fight and constantly tagged Inoue with it.

Tszyu has won five fights over the past 15 months, having taken the mantle of Australian boxing king from Jeff Horn in August 2020, to become the WBO No.1.

Tim Tszyu lands a short left on Inoue.
Tim Tszyu lands a short left on Inoue.

Castano has been trying to organise a rematch against WBC, WBA and IBF champion Jermell Charlo early next year after their unification bout ended in a draw.

However, the IBF has thrown a spanner in the works by insisting Charlo defend their belt against mandatory challenger Bakhram Murtazaliev, who has already been paid step-aside money twice so Charlo could pursue other fights.

While it was thought Murtazaliev would accept a third step-aside fee to allow the unification rematch to proceed, there has been no resolution despite weeks of negotiation.

It leaves open the possibility that Charlo will be forced to defend his IBF belt, leaving Castano no option but to face Tszyu for his belt.

Castano won the WBO title against Patrick Teixeira on February 13, and technically must have a mandatory defence within 12 months.

So Tszyu’s team is eyeing a showdown against the Argentinean next February if the WBO orders it, pending the Charlo situation.

Tszyu showed he is more than ready for them all.

Updates

Tim Tszyu def Takeshi Inoue via unanimous decision

Rich Lamberton

Both fighters are making their way to the ring for the biggest fight in Australian boxing this year. Sick walkout from Inoue. Nothing on the Pride Fighting Kazushi 'Gracie Hunter' Sakuraba but not bad.

Tszyu walks out to the Peppers into Thunderstruck with shark alarm over the top into … a flaming TSZYU. Some Rocky IV imagery.

ROUND 1

BUNG! We're underway. Both men with their paws high as Tszyu stalks his man. Tszyu's punches have plenty of snap behind them and there's the jab to the body and a left hand! Makes Inoue miss. Takeshi, who has bulked up considerably since the weight, looks a metre behind Tszyu. Scary start from Tszyu. TSZYU 10, INOUE 9

ROUND 2

BUNG! Both men open with stiff combos but Tszyu turns his opponent around with ease. Tszyu lands his trademark body shot. That left hand is lightning. Great counter punch. Inoue seems very surprised by Tszyu's strength. Inoue releases that famed right hand but Tszyu eats it. Tszyu just beating Inoue to the punch. TSZYU 20, INOUE 18

ROUND3

BUNG! Jeff Fenech: "Has Inoue fooled us all by coming out more conservative?" Tszyu's left hand is very low and Inoue is frothing at the mouth. OH! Big right hand down the right forces Inoue into the corner. TSZU is manhandling Inoue and is starting to wear on Inoue now but the Japan fighter is as game as they come. TSZYU 30, INOUE 27

ROUND 4

Inoue's right hand is still there but it's not affecting Tszyu at all. Tszyu is just so patient and precise with his combinations. Tszyu hurts him to the body. There could be a very short used by date on this fight if it keeps going like this. OHHH! Inoue doesn't like these body shots from the Soul Snatcher … the tough Inoue grabs Tszyu in a headlock as the bell rings. TSZYU 40, INOUE 36

ROUND 5

Tszyu returns to the body and both men trade jabs. TSZYU RIPS TO THE BODY and INOUE answers! Takeshi isn't going away by any means. He could take this round halfway through. Tszyu forces Inoue into the corner and UNLOADS on a retreating Inoue! Don't turn your back man! Another huge flurry from Australia's boxing phenom. Wow. Tszyu wants blood. TSZYU 50, INOUE 45

ROUND 6

The Marrickville Mauler is loving Inoue's toughness but is questioning his static tactics. Tszyu definitely knows he's in a fight as he toys with angles, catching Inoue off guard. Inoue feels two body shots. Fenech: "Tim's inviting him to hit him" as Inoue lands a combo. VIOLENT BODY SHOTS FROM TSZYU! That was horrific. Inoue just took eight or so power shots to the midsection. He can't take too many more of them. TSZYU 60, INOUE 54

ROUND 7

Tszyu has put a target on Inoue's solar plexus. Looks like Tszyu has zero respect for Inoue's power. He's been hit a few times tonight but nothing has fazed. Nice to have a 27-year-old Kostya chin! Action slowing … BUNG, BUNG! Tszyu nearly lands a knockdown towards the end of the round. TSZYU 70, INOUE 63

ROUND 8

Doctor has a quick chat to Inoue's corner but the Japan fighter is ready to go. Tszyu lands a nasty uppercut. He's getting a little wild with that punch. Fenech wants Tszyu to disguise his KO punches, says he's telegraphing them. Fenech: "Japanese are tough." Love The Mauler! Timmy hasn't been this deep for a long time. Bit of frustration for Tszyu. TSZYU 80, 72

ROUND 9

Forgot my BUNG! Tszyu can't be disappointed if he fails to put Inoue away tonight as these are valuable rounds for the young fella when he heads overseas. And as he always say: "learning, always learning experience". It's Inoue's round with a minute to go here but Tszyu presses him against the ropes. Ref stops it with 17 seconds left in the round. Some loose tape on Tszyu's glove the cause for the pause. Geez Tszyu is desperate to get back out there. That's Inoue's first round for mine. TSZYU 89, 82

ROUND 10

BUNG! Get Low by Lil Jon played between rounds … turrrrrn it off! Action slowing a little. Tszyu being frustrated. The snap has left Tszyu's punches as Inoue comes on strong. TSZYU 98, 92

ROUND 11

BUNG! Inoue has never been knocked down or knocked out and he's showing why. Both men are starting to let the leather fly. This is good stuff. Counter right from Tszyu the best of the round and then he goes low. That's Tszyu's round. TSZYU 108, INOUE 101

ROUND 12

BUNG! The 10,000-strong crowd cheer … for a KO. Tszyu presses forward but the loose tape on Tszyu's glove forces another short stoppage. Tszyu pouring it on! OH! Tszyu slips as a punch whiffs past his beak. AND THERE IT IS! Tszyu scored the first knockdown of the first and that's the first on inoue's career. Was a slip. These two are trading! What a finish to this fight! "Tszyu is the dreammaker tonight!" TSZYU 118, INOUE 110

JUDGES SCORECARDS: 120, 107 … 119, 107 … 120, 107

TSZYU REACTS TO THE FIGHT

"What a great experience, he (Inoue) feels like a brick wall, I don't think a heavyweight could drop him. Hats off to him, he's a warrior. I heard him squeal, his face is battered and look at his body. He's so tough.

Wade Ryan dominants Nath Nwachukwu over 10 rounds

Rich Lamberton

Wade Ryan has moved towards a world title fight after defeating game Japanese rival Nath Nwachukwu.

The Gunnedah local won a unanimous 10-round decision to retain the IBO International superwelterweight title, and move into a strong position to challenge for the vacant belt.

Ryan (20-9, 7KO) defeated Nwachukwu (7-2-2, 3KO) with a busier style, and he has now won four straight since losing to Daniel Lewis in 2019.

Nwachukwu cheered loudly each time he ate a big punch from Ryan, who robotically ignored his rival’s tactics and kept pressing forward.

Nwachukwu had trouble keeping his right eye open after an uppercut grazed him in the seventh round.

The ringside doctor took a look during the eighth round and allowed the fight to continue.

Ryan dropped Nwachukwu in the final round, though Nwachukwu complained about the canvas as he’d slipped on the sponsor’s sign a number of times.

There could be big things to come for the Belle of the Gunnedah B&S Ball

Dennis Hogan scored a shutout six-round decision over Tommy Browne, who announced his retirement following defeat.

Hogan found a home for his left hook early, then landed the cleaner shots throughout while Browne was a second too slow with his counters.

Neither pair made the 69.85kg super-welterweight cut-off but agreed to a catchweight bout and Hogan showed he still has the class to trouble top-class opponents.

Hogan (29-4-1, 7KO) is back in the winners’ circle after being stopped by Tim Tszyu, while Browne finishes his career with a fine record of 42-8-2 (18KO).

Koen Mazoudier bounced back from his stoppage loss to Wade Ryan to shock Joel Camilleri by split decision.

Having taken the fight on short notice, Mazoudier prevailed in a messy, gritty affair over eight rounds, winning 78-74, 77-75, 74-78.

Mazoudier (9-2, 4KO) has put himself forward as a contender in the Australian super-welterweight scene, while Camilleri (20-7-1, 8KO) suffered his first defeat since losing on points to Tim Tszyu two years ago.

Trent Girdham outpointed Alex Lual in their grudge match over four rounds at super-lightweight.

Girdham (3-0) dropped Lual with an overhand left in the first round, catching the top of Lua’s head with his forearm.

That left Lual clawing back ground for the remaining three rounds, however Girdham overcame some sharp uppercuts and a cut over his right eye to win 40-35, 39-37, 39-36 to retain his unbeaten status while handing Lual (2-1) his first loss.

Benjamin Hussain won a tough fight via unanimous decision over nuggetty debutant Darwin Sargurit.

Hussain (4-1, 3KO) weathered some big overhand rights to outscore his opponent 39-37 across the three judges’ cards.

Rising heavyweight prospect Jackson Murray floored Shant Nercessian in two minutes to notch his second first-round stoppage in as many fights.

Murray (2-0, 2KO) was far too big and strong for his rival, who’d been given a standing eight-count early, and was then knocked down by a left-right combination to be waved away.

In the opening bout of the night, Jacinta Austin won her professional debut fight against Viviana Ruiz Corredor via split decision.

Austin took it 39-37, 38-36, 37-39 to win the four-round bantamweight clash.

Browne hints at retirement after loss to Dennis Hogan

Rich Lamberton

Dennis Hogan scored a shutout six-round decision over Tommy Browne, who announced his retirement following defeat.

Hogan found a home for his left hook early, then landed the cleaner shots throughout while Browne was a second too slow with his counters.

Neither pair made the 69.85kg super-welterweight cut-off but agreed to a catchweight bout and Hogan showed he still has the class to trouble top-class opponents.

Hogan (29-4-1, 7KO) is back in the winners’ circle after being stopped by Tim Tszyu, while Browne finishes his career with a fine record of 42-8-2 (18KO).

Tommy Browne has fought for two world title and famously lost to Anthony Mundine.

Sadly, Browne lost his brother to the sport he loves. If he does hang them up, we thank you!

Koen Mazoudier def Joel Camilleri via split decision

Rich Lamberton

This'll be a beauty! Camilleri's mum 'Mardy' is at the base of the ropes with a camera in hand yelling instructions to her son. How good.

Koen Mazoudier bounced back from his stoppage loss to Wade Ryan to shock Joel Camilleri by split decision.

Having taken the fight on short notice, Mazoudier prevailed in a messy, gritty affair over eight rounds, winning 78-74, 77-75, 74-78.

Mazoudier (9-2, 4KO) has put himself forward as a contender in the Australian super-welterweight scene, while Camilleri (20-7-1, 8KO) suffered his first defeat since losing on points to Tim Tszyu two years ago.

Camilleri was visibly disappointed with the result. Main Event expert Paul Kent said "Camilleri only has himself to blame."

Inoue camp lodge complaint over Tszyu's gloves

Rich Lamberton

Team Tszyu has taken a swipe at Team Inoue after a gloves controversy threatened the fight.

Code Sports combat expert Brendan Bradford tweeted Tszyu's camp weren't happy: "They've (Team Inoue) changed their minds four times. It was Everlast, now it's Winning. They're just playing mind games."

Footage showed a member of Tszyu's camp monitoring the wrapping of Inoue's hands after a complaint was made by Inoue's camp that Tszyu's Everlast gloves "felt a little thin".

Team Tszyu then offered Inoue his second set of Everlast gloves but the Japan fighter revealed he will wear his Winning gloves for the bout.

"My manager inspected Tszyu's gloves thought they were thin," Inoue said backstage. "They gave us the option but when I checked them I felt my Winning gloves were fine so everything has been very fair.
"I've fought my whole career in winning gloves so I'm happy.

"I feel nerves but it's an energy I thrive on and I just go into my own world."

Earlier the Main Event broadcast showed Inoue trying on Tszyu's second pair of gloves.

"Takeshi is trying on Tim Tszyu's second pair of gloves. So Inoue could potentially be wearing Tszyu's gloves," Damon said ringside.

Boxing expert Paul Kent said he was impressed with everything Inoue has done since he landed in Australia: "I want to adopt him".

A similar controversy happened for Jeff Horn-Michael Zerafa 2 … and we know how that ended.

NRL lads arrive

Rich Lamberton

Panthers premiership winner Jarome Luai has just taken a front row seat at Qudos Bank Arena.

The boys from the Burrow, Cody Walker, Burgess and Taafe are also in the house.

Perhaps they're looking for a few tips from Timmy?

MAIN EVENT CARD: Trent Girdham def Alex Lual via unanimous decision

Rich Lamberton

Alex Lual and Trent Girdham will open the Tim Tszyu-Takeshi Inoue main card. Here we go.

Trent Girdham outpointed Alex Lual in their grudge match over four rounds at super-lightweight.

Girdham (3-0) dropped Lual with an overhand left in the first round, catching the top of Lua’s head with his forearm.

That left Lual clawing back ground for the remaining three rounds, however Girdham overcame some sharp uppercuts and a cut over his right eye to win 40-35, 39-37, 39-36 to retain his unbeaten status while handing Lual (2-1) his first loss.

Wild action from these two mean.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/boxing-mma/tim-tszyu-v-takeshi-inoue-fight-start-time-card-stream-odds-records/live-coverage/929894b055673799b487a8b8ae22566f