Tim Tszyu confirms Sydney homecoming fight in December, hints at more big changes
Tim Tszyu is set for a Sydney homecoming in December as he looks to rise from the ashes after three defeats in four fights. But he signalled big changes are afoot after the showdown.
Tim Tszyu will attempt to resurrect his career with a long-awaited Sydney homecoming on December 17.
Having recently changed his nickname to ‘The Phoenix’ Tszyu says he’s preparing to rise from the ashes against unbeaten American Anthony Velasquez (18-0-1) at the ICC Theatre in Darling Harbour, in his first fight in his hometown since winning the interim WBO world title in March 2023.
Tszyu is adamant he’s still one of the best super-welterweights on the planet despite three defeats in his last four fights as he returns to the same venue that kick-started his PPV career six years ago.
It could also be a farewell, with Tszyu revealing he is considering relocating fulltime to Miami, where he has spent the last months training under world-renowned coach Pedro Diaz.
“This feels like a homecoming,” Tszyu told Code Sports from his camp in South Florida. “It’s coming back to the place where I first started out, so there’s a lot of good memories.
“I fought Dwight Ritchie and Jack Brubaker there, and that year – 2019 – was the year I had to show everyone who I was about. It was my breakout.
“And this is the start of the next chapter, so it’s good to be coming back to Sydney. It’s always good vibes, good people and I’m excited to be back.”
Tszyu will return to Sydney in early December, with his fight coming a month before younger brother Nikita takes on Michael Zerafa in Brisbane on January 16.
Tszyu’s return to Sydney may be short-lived, with the man formerly known as the Soul Taker seriously considering moving to Miami to be with his “new family” full time.
“Honestly, I miss my dog – I say the dog first – and I miss my wife,” he laughs. “If I could bring them here, it would be a no-brainer.
“(Alex), she likes Sydney, but honestly, it’s a mad vibe over here, and we have started talking about it.
“I’d only move here with her though. I wouldn’t move by myself.”
A move to Miami would allow Tszyu to spend every day with his experienced new trainer, Diaz, who has decades of big fight experience and who the Aussie credits with helping him rediscover his love of the sport.
And, while this comeback is do or die, he still has world titles in his sights.
“What I’ve been doing is completely different to what I’d been doing in the past,” he says. “I had been doing a lot of Western style training, but now we’re down a different path..
“There’s new training methods, new techniques and bringing in new things I haven’t done in a while.
“I’d been so conditioned to being thrashed but being able to just annihilate everyone, that I’d forgotten the basics of boxing and the real art of it.
“I know where I stand from a technical point of view.
‘I’m still with the top boys. I’ve lost because I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve only lost to champions. The best in the division. That’s who I fought against.
“I’ll be back and I’ll beat these boys.”
The former world champion split with his longtime team in September, including manager Glen Jennings and trainer Igor Goloubev.
While his series of losses meant a change was always on the cards, the switch-up is as much about Tszyu wanting to take more control over his own career.
Having felt unable at times to make his own decisions, Tszyu says he’s excited to showcase another side of himself.
That includes adopting “a more Cuban” fight style, as well as a surprise for his walkout.
“I can’t tell you anything more about that though,” he says. “It’s rebuilding and doing things my own way.
“That’s what it’s about for me.
“That’s why I came up with the Phoenix as well.
“I want to show the real Tim Tszyu, someone who can express themselves, be themselves and speak with my hands and show my persona.
“I’m really looking forward to showing it in that type of way. I’ve got my own paintbrush, and I get to paint whatever I want.”
As for the nuts and bolts of fight night, Tszyu says Diaz will bring his own second, cut man and doctor, who will all jet into Sydney fight week.
“Someone was asking, ‘What’s it gonna be like not having your team in your corner?’, but this is the new team,” he says. “This is my team.
“It’s so refreshing, these guys live and breathe boxing, and I’ve got them on my team.
“I’m very grateful to have them all in my corner.”
Knockout artist Velasquez lives and trains in Springfield, Massachusetts and is riding a seven fight win streak ahead of his trip to the Harbour City.
“He’s a pressure fighter, he brings the forward energy,” says Tszyu. “He’s got power and he’s a bit of a knockout artist.
“He’s got 15 knockouts in 18 wins, so he’s dangerous.
“But the energy around me, from everyone, is different with this one.”
Originally published as Tim Tszyu confirms Sydney homecoming fight in December, hints at more big changes
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