Who’s Dustin? Tim Tszyu has no clue about AFL superstar

Tim Tszyu is clueless about AFL superstar Dusty Martin — but he knows where his own career is going after next week’s fight against Dennis Hogan.

Australian boxer Tim Tszyu at Rockdale before he leaves for Newcastle to fight Dennis Hogan. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

A few quick truths about Tim Tszyu.

One, he wouldn’t know AFL superstar Dusty Martin if he fell on him in a Rockdale street. Two, he plans to move up to the middleweight and super middleweight divisions once he’s wrapped the full set of super welterweight world championship belts around his fat-free waist.

And three, his lack of interest in fighting Michael Zerafa is at an all-time high after his would-be opponent stooped to the “circus” act of beating a “47-year-old grandfather,” Anthony Mundine, on a recent sour night for the sweet science.

“I think it shouldn’t have even happened,” Tszyu said of the Zerafa-Mundine farce. “We got offered the Mundine fight and I said straight away, ‘It’s not happening.’ It’s disrespectful, first of all. There’s just a time when enough is enough. It was disrespectful to Mundine. He’s a grandfather, 47 years old. Who does that?”

Tszyu fights awkward Irishman Dennis “Hurricane” Hogan in Newcastle on March 31. Zerafa has been chasing Tszyu for a while now but he will only get a shot if Tszyu’s grand global plans come to nothing. Or if he hits the deck against Hogan.

The 26-year-old said he could not even watch the Zerafa-Mundine fight, which ended in the blink of an eye. “I think that’s our last option,” Tszyu said of facing Zerafa. “If there’s nothing else on the table, then we will consider it. You don’t get an opportunity by beating a 47-year-old grandfather. Let’s just say that.”

Tszyu will likely be catapulted into a super welterweight world title bout, possibly as early as July at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, if he beats Hogan. Asked about Zerafa calling out Martin, the Richmond Tigers AFL legend, Tszyu said: “Who’s Dustin? An AFL player? Oh, right. And what’s he (Zerafa done?) Called him out? There you go.

“That’s the circus they’re involved in. I’ve got the top 10 options I’m going for. The world title opportunities … they’re the boys I want. They’re the big boys in the division that I want to play with.”

Hogan (28-3-1, 7KO) has a respectable record and was probably robbed by the judges of a world title in his controversial loss to Jamie Munguia in 2019. Tszyu said his own increasing bulk stemming from rigorous strength and conditioning sessions meant he wouldn’t be in the super welterweight division forever.

Tim Tszyu says he doesn’t care much for AFL star Dustin Martin. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I will move up to middleweight one day, and I will move up to super middleweight,” he said. “I’ve got to clean out the super welterweight division first. Half of winning is in your boxing brain, but half of it is being physically in shape. You’ve got to be 100 per cent ready.

“These opponents I’ve been fighting – I’m not just beating them with my boxing brain, I’m physically beating them. For example, Jeff Horn, I made him quit. Half of that was being in shape, being in great physical form and being in the best physical shape of your career.”

The fighters in Tszyu’s immediate sights are American Jermell Charlo, the WBA, WBC and IBF champion, and Argentine Brian Castano, who owns the WBO belt. Castano wants to rumble against Charlo for the undisputed super welterweight championship. If Tszyu then stepped into the ring as the mandatory challenger, he would become the unified champion by winning his first title fight, wrapping all four belts round his waist at once.

Tszyu’s plan against Hogan? “Knock him out,” he said. “And then? “Whoever stands in my way, just to take him out. I’m improving as a fighter. I get better each time. I’m targeting the big boys in the division. I’m going to get the opportunity to fight one of those guys soon so I’ve got to be 100 per cent ready. It’s all about improving as a fighter. The only way to improve is with consistency, and that’s what I’m doing. Any of the top ten boys, they’re the ones I’m going for.”

Tszyu will leave Sydney for Newcastle on Thursday. He reckoned his preparations for the Hogan fight had been faultless. “We’re flying under the radar here in Australia but once I do fight the big boys, it’s going to be a shock to them,” he said. “That’s the great position I’m in. Nearly a week out from this fight, everything’s going good. Perfect, as usual.”