Australian boxing champion Tim Tszyu confident he will defend world title despite dog bite

Tim Tszyu was attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier at a friend’s house party in Sydney and was rushed to hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery.

Tim Tszyu has been hospitalised following an accident that cut his arm. Picture: David Clark

Tim Tszyu could resume training as early as this week despite suffering a nasty gash on his arm after being bitten by a dog, potentially jeopardising his world title fight in three weeks.

Tszyu was able to see the lighter side of the situation after news broke of the injury on Tuesday, posting a photo on Instagram of a Chihuahua with the caption: “Don’t worry. Round 2 coming up!”

However, the 28-year-old was actually attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier at a friend’s house party in Sydney last Saturday night, and was rushed to hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery.

The Tszyu camp is adamant he will fight Carlos Ocampo on the Gold Coast on June 18, which will be a title defence of his interim WBO super-welterweight belt.

Tim Tszyu’s Instagram story.

The surgery went well, however Tszyu must take antibiotics to prevent any infection from the bite, and usually patients are advised to let the injury heal for two weeks.

Tszyu does not have that kind of time to prepare for Mexican Ocampo, a former world title challenger who has fought Errol Spence Jr and Sebastian Fundora, and is a major threat to his title belt and shot at undisputed champion Jermell Charlo later this year.

It’s understood the Staffie latched onto Tszyu’s right arm, and after some time let go, revealing a large gash on the fighter’s forearm.

Tszyu (22-0, 16KO) would be having his toughest sparring sessions this week and next in preparation for Ocampo (35-2, 23KO), but that preparation will now be hampered.

Tszyu’s manager, Glen Jennings, said his fighter would be ready for the title showdown.

“Tim Tszyu was treated by the team doctor and surgeon on Saturday afternoon for a laceration on his right forearm,” Jennings said.

“The wound was superficial. The post-surgical report is all good.

“There is no doubt that Tim will be ready and 100 per cent healthy and focussed to take on Carlos Ocampo on June 18.”

Tszyu’s promoter, No Limit Boxing chief George Rose, added: “Like everyone, I was shocked and worried when I first heard the news.

Tszyu and his team are confident the injury won’t mean his June 18 fight won’t go ahead. Picture: David Clark

“It’s certainly not the ideal preparation anytime a fighter ends up in hospital a few weeks out from a world title fight but the best news right now is that Tim is doing OK.

“He has the best and most experienced team around him in world boxing. They have reassured me he’ll be more than ready on June 18 to take on Ocampo.

“If they’re confident, I’m confident.”

Tszyu chose to defend his title, won with a knockout victory against Tony Harrison, instead of waiting for undisputed champion Jermell Charlo.

Tszyu and Charlo were supposed to fight for all four major belts in January, before Charlo injured his hand.

Tszyu then lobbied the WBO to allow him to fight Harrison for the interim belt, a huge risk considering he would have lost his shot at Charlo if defeated.

And showing again his attitude to remaining active, Tszyu chose to have another fight before a planned showdown with Charlo later this year.

Now, Tszyu’s team will be closely monitoring his arm and hoping there are no ill-effects from the dog bite.

Originally published as Australian boxing champion Tim Tszyu confident he will defend world title despite dog bite