The customary insults have begun in the lead up to Tim Tszyu’s March 12 interim title bout against Tony Harrison in Sydney, with the American again questioning the Sydney fighter’s credentials.
Tszyu’s relative silence in the lead up to the interim WBO super welterweight title fight has been met with constant chatter from his American rival, who has again thrown shade at Tszyu’s journey to the interim championship bout.
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The American endured some irregularity with the early part of his preparation with Fox Sports reporting his older brother and head coach’s arrival was delayed due to a family emergency, with the Detroit native keen to link up with his sibling when he lands in Sydney on Friday.
Harrison, the only man to defeat countryman Jermell Charlo, who holds all four belts in the super-welterweight division, said Tszyu is in over his head taking this fight.
“The opponents you’ve faced have been s—y. We just judge you on the guys that you’ve fought; the guy you fought to get to the No.1 spot is f—-g disgusting.
“You saw me box and walk towards Jermell [Charlo] the second time, so expect the unexpected,” said Harrison
“I do see a lot of bad things that he does that’s not championship-level s–t.”
He also seized on rumours Kostya won’t be attending the fight and dismissed claims Tim is in the same class as his iconic father.
“Ten. F—-n 10,” Harrison said when asked how many levels Tszyu will need to step up at Qudos Bank Arena.
“Like I am the only fighter that was a world championship fighter that he’s fought.
“He hasn’t fought a world championship fighter yet. I am the first one – and I am probably going to be the last because he’s going to go back to the bottom and has to rebuild this stuff back up.
“He’s not a weak kid but to say he’s like Kostya Tszyu, I think we’re giving him just a little too much,” the Detroit fighter said.
“I do think he’s strong enough to compete at the weight that he’s fighting at, but do I think he’s the strongest? Nah.
“Do I think he hits harder than Jermell (Charlo)? Nah.
“So come fight night, he’s got to prove it. He’s got to show us. All the talk is over.”
The winner will claim the interim WBO belt and face Charlo later in the year. If Tszyu can get by Harrison and Charlo, he’ll be crowned the undisputed world champion and would join a select group of father-son boxers to win world titles, including Mexican legends Julio Cesar Chavez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Leon and Corey Spinks.
While Harrison (29-3-1, 21KO) has thanked Tszyu for the opportunity and has been mostly cordial, even hugging the Aussie during an appearance at the Creed III premiere in Sydney. But come Sunday March 12, Tszyu won’t be able to stop his lightening left jab, says Harrison.
“I don’t think nobody in the world has the ability to do that,” he said.
“What he can do is pick his spots to do better and to slow it down, but nobody has the wits and skill to stop it.
“He has the dangers that anybody possesses – just toughness. The grit, the high activity, the pace.
“The same stuff that mostly everybody that comes to fight me possesses when they come to fight me.
“But I’m here. Timothy, oh Timothy, a 24-hour flight. Don’t think it’s all for nothing brother.
“Get your two-hour workouts in, get your two-hour runs in. Be prepared because I’m not coming over here for nothing.”
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