Tony Harrison rocked up without a shirt. Tim Tszyu arrived in a chauffeured car and a tailored suit.
And that’s where the bizarre set of events kicked off for their official press conference ahead of Sunday’s world title fight in Sydney.
Detroit native Harrison, the only man ever to beat ‘undisputed’ champ Jermell Charlo, walked onto the stage bare-chested at Sydney’s Botanical Gardens to answer questions, and was made to wait for about a few minutes by Tszyu, who eventually arrived in the back seat of a bright red Ram ute, a fight sponsor.
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Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings opened the door for the undefeated Aussie, who then marched to the stage and took a seat next to his brother Nikita, who’s fighting on the undercard.
Harrison poked fun at the Australian’s arrival, saying: “He got out of that car like a diva … You had somebody open the door for you. You’re just different man.”
Tszyu, in a navy suit and designer sunglasses, brushed aside the comments on stage but speaking to Main Event following the press conference, he called the jab a “low blow.”
When Harrison was asked why he came without a shirt, he said it was to pay tribute to his hometown, where he used to take his shirt off before taking part in competition at the local park.
“I meant f—ing business. And if it wasn’t for business then it would be for the b—es,” Harrison said.
“Business or b—es. This one? I think Tim knows why I’ve got my shirt off.”
Tszyu’s response to Harrison arriving shirtless: “He looks hungry. He looks dry.”
Harrison continued to poke fun at Tszyu and said: “I don’t think he understands how corny he is… I like him.”
Tszyu said: “I don’t like him right now.”
Harrison interjected with a smile, saying: “You like me.”
Harrison again pointed to Tszyu’s last name paving the way for his world title shot and reiterated that he’s fighting against someone in a different league.
Tszyu, who has sparred 350 rounds in the lead up tried to keep things as close to business as possible with the Aussie keeping things to the script most of the time.
”There’s a dog in me right now,” he said.
HOW TO WATCH
You can watch the fight on Kayo via Main Event. The preliminary fights will be aired live on Fox Sports and Kayo from 10am AEDT.
WHAT TIME DOES IT START AND WHEN WILL THE MAIN EVENT HAPPEN?
The five-fight main card (below) begins at midday AEDT. Tszyu and Harrison are expected to take to the ring around 3pm AEDT.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Tim Tszyu
Hometown/nationality: Sydney, Australia
Age: 28
Wins: 20
Losses: 0
Draws: 0
KOs: 15
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 175cm
Reach: 179cm
Tony Harrison
Hometown/nationality: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Age: 32
Wins: 28
Losses: 3
Draws: 0
KOs: 21
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 185cm
Reach: 194cm
ODDS (via Sportsbet)
Tim Tszyu $1.44, Tony Harrison $3.05
FULL CARD
Main card (from midday AEDT)
Tim Tszyu vs. Tony Harrison — 12 rounds, super welterweight – interim WBO super welterweight title
Paulo Aokuso vs. Yunieski Gonzalez — 10 rounds, light heavyweight – vacant IBO Intercontinental light heavyweight title
Sam Goodman vs. TJ Doheny — 10 rounds, super bantamweight – WBO ‘Oriental’ super bantamweight title
Issac Hardman vs. Rohan Murdock — 10 rounds, super middleweight – vacant IBF Australasian super middleweight title
Nikita Tszyu vs. Bo Belbin — 6 rounds, super welterweight
PRELIMS (from 10am)
Koen Mazoudier vs. Ben Mahoney — 10 rounds, super welterweight – WBA Oceania super welterweight title
Shanell Dargan vs. Courtney Martin — 4 rounds, featherweight
Imam Khataev vs. Gi Sung Gwak — 8 rounds, light heavyweight
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A look back at every fight to date from Australian boxing star Tim Tszyu
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