Tim Tszyu Eager To Be Back In Ring With Former World Champ

Coming up Sunday afternoon (Saturday night U.S. time) in Australia, WBO #1 contender at junior middleweight Tim Tszyu is ready to make his 2023 debut in an interim title bout with former 154 lb. world champ Tony Harrison.

The fighters did an open media workout at famed Bondi Beach near the Pacific Ocean in anticipation of their 12 round main event in Sydney’s 21,000 seat Qudos Bank Arena. And, Tszyu made clear Thursday that while his opponent has a name, Tszyu will be ready to test him with his power.

2️⃣ more days until @Tim_Tszyu vs. @Iamboxing from 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 🇦🇺#TszyuHarrison Saturday 10:45PM ET on @Showtime. pic.twitter.com/UqbkWMrCvG

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 9, 2023

“He’s has been talking a lot, but] wait till he feels the first jab and it’s all going to change. On Sunday, we’ll see,” Tszyu said after the workout in the sunshine.

“I’m feeling intimidating right now. I need someone in front of me. See that water out there. Well, that water’s going to be in this ring and I’m going to drown him and suck the life out of him.” 

“This is a big one. The entire boxing world is talking about it and it means we’re doing things right – taking the big fights as I’ve always wanted the big fights. I’ve always wanted to get a big name on the resume and now there’s just one job left to do.”

Tony Harrison has been in this situation before

As for Harrison, he handed Jermell Charlo his first pro loss by getting a controversial decision win for the WBC junior middleweight title in December 2018. Now, Charlo eventually got his green strap back with an 11th round KO 12 months later.

And Thursday, he took the high road with the media about fighting the home country hero Tszyu, “this is exactly what our division needs. This is what boxing needs. This is the year all the best fight the best.”

It will be a battle for the interim WBO title and solidify the meeting for the winner to fight Charlo. Tszyu was scheduled to do that in late January, but the Texan undisputed champ suffered a broken left hand in training postponing their meeting.

Now, instead, it’s a contender battle in Tszyu’s hometown that will solidify the Australian, or Harrison, if he pulls the upset, even more.

The bout will air live in the U.S. on Showtime with the broadcast starting at 10:45 p.m. Eastern which is just before 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon in “the land down under.”