Is Tim Tszyu “out of his depth?”

Wednesday night in Townsville, Australia, the most anticipated fight “Down Under” perhaps in all of 2020, is about to take place. This, as former WBO Welterweight Champ, Jeff Horn, battles unbeaten Tim Tszyu in a 10 round, non-title showdown. It’s a classic example of former champion with lots of experience being pitted opposite a rising, young star.

But, Horn’s camp believes that Tszyu is about to find out that he’s not quite ready for this big of a stage against a championship tested fighter.

Speaking to the Canberra Times Tuesday, Horn and his promoter, Dean Lonergan made no secret that they feel disrespected and Lonergan deemed the 25 year old Tszyu “out of his depth”

"The story is led by the letters 'KTFO', knocked the f— out," boxing promoter Dean Lonergan says with a wry grin masking what is as much a demand as a declaration of confidence | #HornTszyu #boxing https://t.co/iJjRsf83Dj

— Caden Helmers (@cadenhelmers) August 25, 2020

“It’s a slap in the face to see what he has done in his career so far and to have him as the odds on favourite. I was quite shocked,” Horn told the paper Tuesday.

“I don’t know what the bookies are doing, but I guess they don’t really have the faith in me. I guess a lot of people are probably on that bandwagon as well. I love proving people wrong and I plan on doing exactly that again.” 

Lonergan, who engineered the fight being held in the tourist city of Townsville in an outdoor stadium where 15,000+ socially distanced fans are expected to attend, believes that his man Horn will dispose of Tszyu inside of six rounds.

But, that’s easy for a promoter to spew.

It will be tougher for Horn to follow through.

Get our thoughts on Horn-Tszyu on the Big Fight Weekend podcast with Marquis Johns and Dan Canobbio of “Inside Boxing Live”

Meanwhile, the fans in Australia are behind Tszyu, who’s the son of former Undisputed World Jr. Lightweight champ and adopted Aussie hero of the 90s, Kostya Tszyu. And, while Horn-Lonergan dismiss his resume’, Tszyu is 15-0, 11 KOs.

And, he’s been eager to fight the biggest named opponent of his career in the 32 year old Horn earlier this year before the Covid 19 shutdown of the sport. Horn has risen to heights that Tszyu has not, yet. That’s, when defeated future Hall of Famer, Manny Pacquiao, in a controversial 12 round decision for WBO World Welterweight Title in 2017.

He tasted the World Title in a fight that was held in Brisbaine on the Southeast coast of Australia, also at an outdoor stadium with over 35,000 in attendance.

However, Horn’s reign was short lived, as he only defended the title once before Terence Crawford dominated and battered Horn for nine rounds in a TKO stoppage in Las Vegas in 2018. It was also the one and only fight Horn’s had outside of Australia.

Horn, 20-2-1, also was stopped by fellow Australian Michael Zerafa in August of 2019, but avenged that defeat with a 12-round majority decision rematch win over Zerafa five months later last December.

So, he’s won on the biggest stage, but Horn has also (twice) tasted defeat, where Tszyu has not, as a pro.

Now, it’s time to see if the younger, more popular Tszyu will make Horn eat his confident words.