‘A mistake’: Tim Tszyu’s shredded opponent issues warning ahead of fight

Tim Tszyu is expected to continue his winning streak but he’ll have is work cut out for him judging by his challenger’s chiselled physique.

Tim Tszyu's opponent Takeshi Inoue is looking shredded ahead of their fight.

Tim Tszyu will go in as the overwhelming favourite to defeat Takeshi Inoue in their fight next week, but he will have to be at the top of his game judging by his opponent’s physique.

Tszyu, who was in August named by the WBO as the mandatory challenger for Brian Castano’s super-welterweight title, will face his toughest fight yet when he takes on Inoue next Wednesday November 17 in Sydney.

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

He is yet to contest a fight outside of Australia and Inoue is no slouch, boasting a 17-1-1 record including 10 knockouts, with the only blemish a loss to Jaime Munguia in a world title fight.

The Japanese fighter recently arrived in Sydney and invited media to a training session, where it was clear he was in incredible shape and the travel hadn’t been too hard on his body.

Working up a sweat in the ring with his trainer, Inoue’s chiselled six-pack was on full display and there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him.

He clearly doesn’t fear Tszyu, declaring he can beat the Aussie inside the distance, adding Tszyu’s lack of experience fighting overseas could come back to bite him.

“My condition has gotten better and also my punch is now very, very powerful so I can beat Tim Tszyu,” Inoue said via a translator.

Tim Tszyu’s next opponent, Takeshi Inoue, has turned up in reasonable shape #TszyuInouepic.twitter.com/6d7bmR55XE

— Adrian Proszenko (@proshenks) November 9, 2021

World #7 Takeshi Inoue has turned up in decent condition! #TszyuInouepic.twitter.com/6xuWpNlx7c

— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) November 8, 2021

“I respect his results because Tim Tszyu has not lost. I respect also his boxing technique and I basically respect everything about him. But towards the end of the fight, I’m thinking of knockout. That’s how I’m practising.

“Tim Tszyu has only ever fought in Australia, he hasn’t got experience overseas. I have more experience, including against Munguia, when although I lost, the fight was very close.

“I’m confident, I have much more experience so I think I can beat Tim Tszyu.”

The world No. 7’s trainer Tatsuya Saita called Tszyu’s choice to fight Inoue “a mistake” and predicted his charge to win via knockout.

“It is a mistake,” Saita said.

“If I were Tim’s promoter, I wouldn’t let him challenge Takeshi,” Saita said.

“He has chosen Takeshi and he may regret his chance.

Japanese boxing star Takeshi Inoue is in great shape for his fight with Tim Tszyu.

“Tim Tszyu’s experience is limited to fighting in Australia. I don’t think he has fought a boxer as heavy as Takeshi, most of his opponents were lighter.

“Although he has fought against Denis Hogan, when I watched the match I didn’t think Tszyu was that strong. Takeshi could possibly exceed Denis Hogan two or three times.”

When asked if Inoue expected to win via knockout, Saita responded: “Yes. I would say in the seventh to ninth round.”

For his part Tszyu is undefeated from his 19 professional fights and is expecting to keep his winning streak going against Inoue, vowing to end him in six rounds.

In the past year, the 26-year-old has defeated former world champion Jeff Horn, Bowyn Morgan, Dennis Hogan and most recently Stevie Spark.

Main Event will give fans around Australia a ringside seat to all the action with live and exclusive coverage of the entire card available on Pay-Per-View through FOXTEL and Kayo.