Tim Tszyu fight to supercharge Gold Coast’s Las Vegas future
Gold Coast leaders have revealed how they managed to lure star boxer Tim Tszyu’s latest fight to the Glitter Strip. Find out how the bout was won
Gold Coast
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The City of Gold Coast has invested a “s---load” to secure star boxer Tim Tszyu’s latest fight as it works with his promoters on turning the city into the country’s boxing capital.
Promoter and No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose said the upcoming bout would cement the Gold Coast as the boxing capital of Australia like Las Vegas is in the US .
“When you look at America, whenever you go to Las Vegas – that’s where the big fights happen,” Mr Rose said.
“There’s a buzz and an energy in the town – and I think that’s what we can get here on the Gold Coast.”
After losing out hosting a Tszyu bout to Sydney last year, Mayor Tom Tate said the city council did everything it could to secure the latest highly-anticipated Tszyu fight - versus Mexican Carlos Ocampo.
In a 50:50 funding arrangement, the Gold Coast City Council and Major Events Gold Coast tipped in an undisclosed amount to bring it here.
Asked how much, Mr Tate said: “In classic fashion – (we’ve invested) a sh*tload.”
“The Gold Coast is known to be an event city – an exciting and innovative city. Boxing headlined by Tim Tszyu ticks all those boxes.
“And if there’s one thing the Gold Coast loves, we love coming out and cheering on a homegrown hero.”
Major Events Gold Coast CEO Jan McCormick said the fight “extravaganza” was expected to draw “millions and millions” in revenue for the Gold Coast.
“This is going to be a sensational and spectacular event,” Ms McCormick said.
“We’re expecting people to be flying in form across the country – Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns – and they’ll likely stay for a couple of nights and explore the city.”
However, Ms McCormick said if the Gold Coast truly wants to live up to its Las Vegas mantle as a fight capital then investments into key boxing infrastructure will be essential.
“We need to have an arena, venues and those types of things,” she said.
Mr Rose added: “The support of Queensland Government so far has been fantastic. The support of Major Events Gold Coast and Mayor Tom Tate – they see the vision and they know you know what the Gold Coast could be.”
The fight night is June 18 at the Convention Centre.
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