After 4 fights last year, Tim Tszyu finally was able to kick off his 2020 campaign on August 26th when he dominated former world champion Jeff Horn for 8 rounds before the fight was finally stopped. With the victory over his domestic rival, he improved his record to 16-0 with 12 knockouts. Horn is best known for his controversial decision victory over Manny Pacquiao in 2017.
The son of International Boxing Hall of Fame member Kostya Tszyu has been in the gym for most of the year as the date of the fight was shuffled around because of the COVID-19 pandemic. His plan is to take a short rest and then fight again before the end of the year.
"I am a bit sore. I have a few days off and I will get back in the gym after. It is a good feeling after a hard camp. Especially being that I never really stopped," said Tszyu.
16,000 fans packed the Queensland Country Bank Stadium and several more thousand would have been in attendance if there weren’t any COVID-19 restrictions in place. Tszyu has built up a sizable fan base and believes as he continues to progress towards a title fight, that their is a high probability that he will be able to lure top level opponents down under.
"I think there is. Again Queensland is a hot boxing spot in the world. Me and Jeff just produced the biggest fight of this year. I think it is a great opportunity to bring a world title fight here," Tszyu told Fighthype.com in a video interview.
At 25-years old, the best is likely yet to come for Tszyu. The highly rated super welterweight believes that not only are his skills improving but that he actually raises his game to coincide with the level of opponent he is facing.
"I think that it is the caliber of opponents that brings me to the next level to showcase my skill. I believe that I have the skill and will and the desire to succeed. I have the tunnel vision to keep going," said Tszyu.
Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.comYou can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter