‘Where do I sign?’: Rival’s bold message to Tim Tszyu

Tim Tszyu’s wish to fight an overseas opponent has received a huge boost, with his No. 1 target declaring he’d “fight him tomorrow”. 

Liam Smith is next on Tim Tszyu’s hit list. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Tim Tszyu’s chances of fighting an international opponent have received a huge boost after one of his prized targets said he would “fight him tomorrow”.

After easily accounting for Stevie Spark in Newcastle last week, Tszyu named former world champion Liam Smith among the fighters he’d like to face next.

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“For myself, I’ve got one objective in my mind and that’s take whoever is in front of me out,” Tszyu said in the ring straight after the fight with Spark.

“All respect to Stevie Spark for coming in, he’s got a big career in front of him but again, this my ring, this is my division.

“Liam Smith, (Magomed) Kurbanov and Danny Garcia, they’re the guys I’m going for. If you’re watching boy, I’m coming for you.”

Speaking after the fight, Tszyu added: “I think they’ve got a few names in mind but Liam Smith is what we’re talking about.”

“There’s a bit of politics involved with boxing but I think a name like Liam Smith is someone on the global stage.

“He gave Canelo (Alvarez) problems and Canelo is the best pound for pound fighter right now.

“So a name like that on my resume, that’s what I need.”

Now Smith has responded to Tszyu’s offer, saying he’d be more than up for the challenge of fighting the Australian.

“From my point of view, I think no questions should be asked of whether I would fight him. It’s whether I go to Australia to fight him,” Smith told Boxing Social.

Liam Smith is very keen to take on Tim Tszyu. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

“I’d fight him tomorrow. I’d fly to Australia tomorrow as long as the deal is right.

“If there is a deal there to be made, I’m sure it will be made.

“Would I go to Australia? Of course I would. I’ve just been to Russia, I’ve been to Mexico, to the States. Put a fight (on) that makes sense to me and I’ll go.

“Put an offer on the table to me, it makes sense for me, where do I sign?”

The 32-year-old, who suffered a controversial points loss to Magomed Kurbanov in May, said he doesn’t fear Tszyu. 

“Tim Tszyu is no one different, he’s no great shakes,” he said. 

“He’s no one I fear, no one I’m scared of.

“If it makes sense for me and my career, fire at will, I’ll be on the next plane there.”

The former WBO super welterweight world champion said he is the perfect “name” that Tszyu needs to fight in order to progress his career.

“He needs that name, he needs that push,” Smith said. 

“Who’s been his best win? It’s probably Dennis Hogan, that’s his best win and by all accounts Dennis Hogan might retire after it.

“I think a fight will answer a lot of questions on Tim Tszyu’s part. If he beats me, he’ll say he’s ready to push on.

Tim Tszyu’s career is on the rise after defeating Stevie Spark. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

“If he doesn’t, you’re not ready. I think he will end up a good fighter. If you now put somebody OK in front of him, who is hard to hit, you might get a few different answers on Tim Tszyu.”

The Englishman appeared genuinely excited about the idea of fighting Tszyu soon. 

“I think it would be an unbelievable fight because he’ll want to make a statement,” Smith said.

“He’s aggressive and he likes to finish people and I am always a fighter where he won’t have to go looking for me.

“It’s a great fight, it’s a great name for Tim Tszyu. It would put them on the scene that he’s ready to challenge if he beats me.”

Immediately after Tszyu’s victory over Spark, Smith was called out by a boxing fan who doubted he would want to fight Tszyu. 

The fan challenged Smith on social media, saying “don’t be a p****, he might break all your ribs but ur careers over anyway”.

“Just curious mate, tell me when in my whole career have I been a ‘p****’?” Smith hit back on Twitter.

“I’ll fight him anywhere, where do I sign.”

He opened up on his reaction to the intense interaction. 

“Obviously Tim fought Wednesday and my social media went mad,” Smith said. 

“Whether it was to do with him mentioning me, whether it was people saying ‘Take the fight p****’.

“I’m like ‘are you serious? How can that be mentioned towards myself?’”