Horn’s warning to Tszyu: ‘it’s tougher in the big leagues’

Jeff Horn’s win over Manny Pacquaio inspired Tim Tszyu. Now they will be opponents in the same ring.

Tim Tszyu, left, and Jeff Horn in Sydney before their April 22 fight

If Tim Tszyu’s father Kostya taught him anything — aside from the intricacies of the squared circle — it was the value of respect.

So Tszyu is happy to concede a level of respect for Jeff Horn and his achievements in the lead-up to their multimillion-dollar bout on April 22 in a yet-to-be-determined destination. Beyond that, he is ambivalent. He has no desire to socialise with Horn. Nor to pick the brain of a fighter who has been where he aspires to be.

“’Like’ and ‘friends’ are big words,” Tszyu responded when asked how close he was to Horn.

The pair have made small talk on the odd occasion when their worlds have collided but there has been little contact between the camps before recent weeks, when the parties agreed terms on a fight that could see the duo split upwards of $6 million.

It seems remarkable that they have never sparred or shared a gym given the sometimes collegiate nature of the sport, until you consider that Tszyu has been eyeing off a fight with Horn for more than two years.

Probably since the day Tszyu watched with shock and awe as Horn upset Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao in one of the sport’s great upsets. Tszyu on Tuesday conceded even he drew inspiration from that historic afternoon at Suncorp Stadium.

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Since then, Horn has lost a world title and split fights with Michael Zerafa. Tszyu has been on a tear over the same period, his record now 15 fights without defeat.

Horn is a step-up in class, something promoter Dean Lonergan pointed out on Tuesday when he used rugby league parlance to suggest Tszyu was moving from under-18 level to State of Origin.

Boxer Jeff Horn has reached the very top of his sport

Yet Tszyu is a dangerous opponent, his bloodlines and talent complemented by lashings of self-belief.

“Let them talk,” Tszyu said. “My job is one thing — to get my job done in the ring. I am super confident in my ability. I know what I bring to the table and I know what he brings to the table.

“When I am super-prepared and 120 per cent ready, there is no one who can stop me. Jeff Horn, I think he is just under world class.

“I don’t think he is world class. I am a gladiator. I am ready to take him out.”

On more than one occasion, Tszyu or his promoter Matt Rose referred to Horn as a stepping stone — a slap in the face for a fighter who not that long ago wore the WBO welterweight title around his waist.

Tszyu didn’t even bother watching either of Horn’s fights against Zerafa. When Horn avenged his loss to Zerafa in Brisbane late last year, Tszyu was sunning himself on a beach in Hawaii.

“Tim has a style that is different to anyone I have fought before so he hasn’t been on the radar,” Horn said.

“I have never needed Tim and because he is in Sydney, I have never reached out. We have been friendly but that is because I am sure when we were talking he never thought the fight would happen.

“I still don’t mind the guy but I don’t need to not like a person to punch them in the face. I never thought this fight was ever going to eventuate but I guess it is one that people have been calling for.

“That sniper right is so quick and dangerous — his dad had that as well.”

Horn has never been one to stoke the fires, happy to let but Lonergan take the lead on that front. Lonergan didn’t disappoint on Tuesday.

Tim Tszyu is undefeated after 15 professional fights

He revealed it could take a month before a host city was found for the fight but Queensland is firming as the likely destination, Townsville’s new stadium well in the mix along with the Brisbane Convention Centre.

Melbourne and Perth have also expressed an interest, but Lonergan will have final say and he knows as well as anyone what it means for Horn to fight in his home town.

“I like Tim, he’s a really good bloke,” Lonergan said.

“But, the reality is, Tim’s fought a whole lot of Sydney-level club fighters, as opposed to Jeff Horn. Let’s put it in rugby league terms because Sydneysiders firmly understand that.

“When you’re playing at under-18 level, it’s easier to stand out. We’re now stepping up to State of Origin, where Jeff’s been performing for the last three years.

“So it’s going to be interesting to see how we go when the pressure really comes on.”

Rose responded in kind.

“I remember a player, Greg Inglis, they said wasn’t ready for State of Origin,” Rose said.

“I don’t know what he’s done in his football career, but he’s done pretty good. With Timmy, he’s ready. People can compare his last name all they want.

“At the end of the day, he is the son of a legend. At present, he has a way to go in terms of winning world titles, but the way he carries himself — in the ring; out of the ring — nothing but class.”

Like Horn, Tszyu steered clear of engaging in a war of words. He bit his tongue until the cameras were off. Then, he made it clear he was looking beyond Horn. Bigger bouts are on his horizon. Respect has its limits.

“I have a few more fights ahead in the year,” Tszyu said.

“I have world titles to win. He is 31 — I am young, I have the whole world ahead of me. This is just another stepping stone.”