ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys aims to make boxer Tim Tszyu the face of Australia for NRL double-header

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has outlined plans to make Tim Tszyu the face of Australian sport by headlining the NRL’s double-header in Las Vegas.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has outlined plans to make Tim Tszyu the face of Australian sport by headlining the NRL’s double-header in Las Vegas.

This masthead can reveal V’landys is in talks with Tszyu’s promoters No Limit for the world champion to be the main event of a boxing-and-UFC blockbuster in Sin City next March.

Tszyu faces Brian Mendoza in Sunday’s world-title showdown at the Gold Coast Convention Centre and victory over ‘The Bullet’ will open the door for a $10 million defence in America.

Australian boxing’s royal family could be headed for Vegas with Tszyu’s younger brother Nikita also slated to be part of a stellar cast as part of the NRL’s historic offshore extravaganza.

The NRL will launch the 2024 premiership on American soil with the Broncos to face the Roosters and Manly to take on Souths at Las Vegas’ 65,000-capacity Allegiant Stadium on March 2.

Tim Tszyu takes on Brian Mendoza on Sunday. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Tszyu (23-0, 17KO) must first dispose of Mendoza (22-2, 16KO) and V’landys is hoping the unbeaten Sydneysider buries ‘La Bala’ to be a poster boy for the NRL’s Australia Week festivities in Vegas.

“We want Tim Tszyu to be the face of our NRL week in Las Vegas,” V’landys said.

“We would love him there to promote Australia and rugby league as part of a historic weekend for Australian sport that would showcase our talent to Americans.

“We have mentioned this to the Tszyu camp, absolutely.

“I’ve had talks with Matt and George Rose (Tszyu’s promoters No Limit Boxing), but a lot depends on what happens with this fight and whether Tim wins on Sunday.”

A potential opponent for Tszyu in Vegas has yet to be determined.

Tszyu has spoken of his passion for the Rabbitohs and V’landys says the NRL would relish the prospect of using the 28-year-old alongside Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell to promote the code.

“Tim is a Souths fan so to get him there would be a marketer’s dream for the NRL,” V’landys said.

“We are very fortunate to have a boxer of Tim’s calibre and our plan is to put on some boxing and UFC shows as part of our NRL double header in Vegas.

“Tim is at the top of his game and he would be massive in America.

“If Tim can win this fight, we would love to have him headlining a boxing event in Vegas and establishing a great NRL tradition.

“Let’s hope he wins on Sunday.”

ARL Commission chair Peter V'landys at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Credit: Supplied

Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings said the NRL’s fight card would also be bolstered by his younger sibling Nikita, who is unbeaten in seven fights and will fight for the Australian super welterweight title next month.

“The NRL season kick-off is March 2 and that opportunity has been put to us,” Jennings said.

“We’ve had some talks and while we’ve said yes we are keen, at this level, it’s about getting the fight rather than the date.

“Tim’s next fight would be massive regardless, but I’ve floated the idea of other fights going along.

“I’d be happy to take Nikita, Liam Wilson and Vegas Larfield across there and let them headline a fight card on the footy weekend.

“We have some great Australian fighters and we have some sticks in the fire.

“We’ll see where it lands, but it would certainly be a great opportunity for Tim and Nikita Tszyu fighting in Vegas during the NRL weekend.”

Originally published as ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys aims to make boxer Tim Tszyu the face of Australia for NRL double-header