Anthony Velazquez has warned Tim Tszyu against relying on his new trainer Pedro Diaz to transform his career.
The Puerto Rican will confront Tszyu in the Australian’s first test since he recruited Cuba’s Diaz to replace his uncle and long-term trainer Igor Goloubev as part of the wider overhaul of his team that also involved him separating from his manager Glen Jennings and turning to Mike Altamura, Darcy Ellis and Jeff Fenech.
Most recently he revealed that the cutman Osvaldo Nordelo and assistant coach Stefan Hubert will join Diaz in his corner for the junior-middleweight contest at the TikTok Entertainment Centre in his home city of Sydney on December 17, but having seen Tszyu describe Diaz as a “genius” and speak with renewed enthusiasm about his future following a damaging run of three defeats in four, Velazquez has told him the reasons for his optimism are false.
It is little secret that Velazquez has been identified by those working with Tszyu for the first time as the opponent he requires to start rebuilding his reputation and confidence following the two defeats inflicted by Sebastian Fundora either side of another by the heavy-handed Bakhram Murtazaliev.
However Velazquez – 29 years old and, as compatriot, particular admirer of Miguel Cotto, the fighter with which Diaz built much of his reputation – while recognising why Tszyu has made the changes he has believes that his opponent’s hopes are regardless doomed.
Velazquez plans to arrive in Australia from his home in Springfield, Massachusetts little over a week before fight night, and he said: “A trainer can only help you so much.
“It all depends who you are, you know? A trainer can just help you, but I feel like it won’t do too much to you.
“I’m a – how can I say? – I’m the type of guy, who I started with, I like to end with. So, that’s just the way I am.
“[But] I want to expect the best version of him that night, because when I win, I want the full credit, you know? I don’t want people downplaying that; this. May the best man win, you know? Once I win, I want my respect in the boxing world.”
The 31-year-old Tszyu remains Australia’s highest-profile fighter and, partly as a consequence of his retired father Kostya’s reputation in the US, in the event of victory can potentially earn another world-title fight at a time when the landscape at 154lbs is on the brink of change.
Josh Kelly challenges Murtazaliev, the IBF champion, on January 31, the same day on which Abass Baraou and Xander Zayas seek to unify the WBA and WBO titles. Fundora had been on course to defend his WBC title against Keith Thurman until an injury forced a postponement; their date was expected to be rescheduled for January but is instead on course to take place later in 2026.
“He’s just another man just like me,” Velazquez said.
“It’s definitely my biggest fight to this day. That’s why I’m taking it very serious. Like, I take every fight.
“I’m looking forward to it because I know he got a big fan base over there. We’re having his dad – a legend like his dad – and so I’m expecting and I’m hoping to make new fans after that night.
“My biggest threat is my confidence; my ability; my skills; just my whole style.
“I’m looking to make my own legacy and coming to win and bringing the win back home and looking on and looking forward.”
