NRL 2023: Latrell Mitchell, Tim Tszyu set to join forces for Las Vegas double header
Two of the biggest names in Australian sport - Latrell Mitchell and Tim Tszyu - are set to join forces to headline the NRL’s plans for a Las Vegas sporting bonanza to kick off the 2024 season.
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Tim Tszyu and Latrell Mitchell are two of the biggest names in Australian sport.
Now the world-champion boxer and rugby league superstar are set to join forces to headline the NRL’s plans for a sporting and cultural bonanza - dubbed ‘Australia Week’ - in Las Vegas next season.
Millions of viewers from Australia and around the world will tune in today to watch Tszyu (22-0, 16KO) in his maiden world-title defence against Mexican Carlos Ocampo (35-2, 23KO) on the Gold Coast.
Victory over Ocampo will propel Tszyu into a unification bout against American Jermell Charlo in Vegas this September, and another trip to Sin City is slated next year as part of Australian sport’s one-two promotional punch with Mitchell.
The NRL is on the verge of announcing a double header in Vegas next season, with ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys keen to bolster the historic venture with UFC and boxing events showcasing Australia’s best athletes.
Mitchell is one of the NRL’s most bankable stars and he welcomed the prospect of teaming up with Tszyu in Vegas.
“Timmy Tszyu has a huge fight today but he’s a different beast. I’m backing him to win,” said Mitchell, a regular face at Tszyu’s boxing events.
“After that I’m keen for a massive double header in Vegas next year.
“South Sydney headlining on one night and then Timmy Tszyu the next in Vegas ... it would be a great event for Australian sport.”
Mitchell is hoping Souths are one of the four teams chosen by the NRL to spruik the rugby league gospel in America.
Underlining the Sydney-born boxer’s booming appeal, more than 3500 fans crammed into Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast on Saturday for the official Tszyu-Ocampo weigh in.
“I was embracing it all,” Tszyu said.
“It was a crazy crowd, it’s pretty unreal to have so many fans at a weigh-in like this.
“At the weigh in, I felt unbelievable. I will have the edge in every way, in every single way.”
The 28-year-old world champion’s promoters No Limit confirmed plans are underway for Tszyu and Mitchell to be Australian sport’s poster boys in Vegas.
“Tim has a great relationship with Latrell and I can confirm we are looking to make it happen,” No Limit boss George Rose said.
“It’s 100 per cent in the mix.
“If the NRL is in Vegas and they are looking at doing an Australia Week, it makes sense to have the best Australian fighter in Tim Tszyu alongside the best NRL athletes like Latrell Mitchell.
“If the NRL is going to Vegas, they need their star of the game there. I know a lot of teams will want to go to Vegas, but no-one draws in the fans and gets eyeballs like Latrell Mitchell.
“It would be a great celebration of Australian sport to have Latrell Mitchell and Tim Tszyu headlining a boxing and NRL bonanza in America.”
A fortnight ago, V’landys revealed he was in talks to stage an NRL-style ‘Expo’ in Vegas.
“We are talking with Las Vegas tourism right now and they are keen on supporting us with Australia Week,” V’landys said.
“We can have boxing and UFC events with Australians competing and we have discussed having top-line Australian artists performing in concerts.
“We’re hoping to make Australia Week in Vegas one of the biggest events of our sporting calendar.
“If we get it going, it will be massive.”
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Originally published as NRL 2023: Latrell Mitchell, Tim Tszyu set to join forces for Las Vegas double header
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