World boxing kingpin Eddie Hearn says the jury is out on Tim Tszyu ahead of his comeback fight
Tim Tszyu is fighting for his career on Sunday. A loss to Joey Spencer, and it’s all over. Can he rise again? One of boxing’s most powerful voices, Eddie Hearn, says the jury is out.
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One of world boxing’s most powerful figures says the “jury is out” on embattled Tim Tszyu as a world-class champion as the Australian fights to save his career this Sunday.
British promotional kingpin Eddie Hearn has questioned whether Tszyu (24-2) is a myth as a global powerhouse ahead of the Sydneysider’s return to the ring against dangerous American Joey Spencer (19-1) in Newcastle.
Tszyu’s career is at the crossroads after back-to-back losses in America last year, including his savage third-round TKO belting against Russian hitman Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orland last October.
A third straight defeat would torpedo any hope of Tszyu returning to the world summit, and Hearn, one of the sport’s most influential voices, fears the Bakhram beating may have broken the ‘Soul Taker’.
“That was a bad beating he got last time. A really bad beating,” Hearn said ahead of Sunday’s 10-round super welterweight blockbuster bout in ‘Tszyu-castle’.
“I think it’s fair to say the jury is still out on Tim Tszyu.
“The reality is can Tim win those elite level fights … because that’s another whole level.
“This fight coming up should be a good one for Tim. He should beat Spencer, but the problem for Tim is he is now dropping back to arguably fringe world level.
“There’s no shame in that.
“Sometimes you step up to that world level and you just aren’t good enough.”
It was only a year ago that Tszyu vowed to conquer America, but the son of Kostya has suffered physically and mentally on US soil, starting with his world-title loss to Sebastian Fundora in Vegas.
Tszyu’s world-title defence turned into a bloodbath following an accidental elbow from Fundora that inflicted a sickening head gash on the 30-year-old, who courageously fought for 10 rounds with blood obstructing his vision.
Murtazaliev then destroyed Tszyu, knocking him down four times in the type of beatdown that can end a boxer’s career.
Tszyu insists he carries no psychological scars from the Murtazaliev mauling, but Hearn, who has helped Australians Jai Opetaia and Liam Paro to world titles, fears for his long-term health.
“Tim is a good fighter, but I worry about the way he fights,” he said.
“I worry about the wars that he has been in and how that might affect his resistance.
“Aussie boxing fans talk about Tim Tszyu but everytime he steps up to world level, proper world level, he has got beat.
“When you stay in Australia and you beat up on fringe world level guys, you think you are invincible and you fight a certain style.
“Tim thought he was too big, too strong and could walk through anyone. Then he faces a guy like Murtazaliev and you think bloody hell, there’s another level of beast out there.
“Tim is a real fighter with real heart but sometimes you can get carried away.
“There is a massive difference between fighting in the Australian market and then going to the world stage. You can’t just walk through people at that level.
“Tim’s promoters (No Limit) have done a great job with him, he needs a confidence win against Spencer and then I’d take him back to America.
“The one thing is he is must-watch TV, Tim will not struggle to get opportunities because people think they can beat him and he is good to watch.
“But Tim can’t afford too many fights like that Bakhram loss, it can shorten his career.”
Tszyu scoffed at suggestions he is a spent force, saying the Murtazaliev loss was the ultimate wake-up call to be tactically smarter.
“That performance doesn’t affect my mindset at all,” he said.
“This is sink or swim now.
“If I want to prove myself on that world stage I need to demolish this guy.
“Pressure builds diamonds, I don’t feel the pressure but sometimes you need it and I’m ready for it.”
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