By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum was impressed with IBF #6, WBO #9, WBC #12 light middleweight Tim Tszyu (16-0, 12 KOs) who stopped former WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn (20-3-1, 13 KOs) in eight rounds and predicts Tszyu should have a world title challenge in next 12 months.
“He looks terrific, he looks like he’s the real goods,” Arum told The Age. “It’s like race horses. Sometimes you can tell the colt is going to be good because the sire was good. It was on ESPN+, the streaming service of ESPN, which now has 11 million subscribers. He looked really good.
“I talked to Matt, his manager and promoter, and he said he wanted him to fight again before the end of the year in Australia and then he would bring him over to the United States.”
“There’s no mistaking the resemblance,” Arum added. “Kostya Tszyu was a tremendous fighter. You can’t make comparisons. Kostya was fighting at a much lower weight. I hate to make comparisons between fighters in different eras, no less the father and the son.
“[A world title is possible], but let’s not jump. He’s still a baby and needs a little bit more schooling. But I would think he’s about a year away. Probably by the end of next year he will be in a position to compete for a world title with a real good chance to win.”
Be careful Tim, I know this man………
Slow down, Mr. Arum. How about two (2) or 2.50 more years of steady, gradual competition while showing solid progress as a professional fighter – also consider COVID-19 conditions.
In addition, little Tszyu will need exposure to the versatile styles of American fighters and Mexican fighters who can present high pressure, hand speed, elusive defensive movements, body punching, some pop, physical strength, sturdy chins and strong will. It appears little Tszyu may eventually settle at 154-160, so we will not know his physical limits until he fights American fighters and Mexican fighters.
If little Tszyu shows solid progression/remains undefeated under a decent gauntlet of American fighters and Mexican fighters, then let him go for broke in a title fight. However, chances are, Arum will toss him in there prematurely (in 1 year or 1.50 years) because the last name is a money maker, and it’s hard to decline outstanding money in a fight. Let’s hope little Tszyu and his camp stay grounded and realistic about the meaning of progression (i.e. “you have it or you don’t have it”).
Everything you said is what is wrong with boxing. Fighters are over protected and matched selectively to protect them as they build a record. Nobody wants to risk a loss anymore which is why we hardly see the best face the best. Throw the kid into the deep end and see if he can swim! So what if he takes a loss? He can learn from it. It’s why the UFC is taking fans away from boxing because there the fighters aren’t protected. It’s sink or swim and only the best survive. I’ve been a boxing fan for 40 years but this “over protecting” of fighters is turning me off.
Boxing never used to be like that.
Tszyu looked pretty good against Horn. Don’t think he’s ready for any of the top guys.
To be honest I didn’t expect Tim to dominate Jeff.
Super welter is a wasp’s nest. There are many top and upcoming fighters that know how to sting badly.
Inoue, Madrimov and Trout are all behind Tim in the ranking and Jarrett Hurd almost exactly at the same points as Tim.
Tim needs to be put forward wisely and skillfully if to compete among the best in the division and stay in the top over the years.
Tsyzu is in a division of great fighters, A move to America when Covid19 settles down will help. Step by step say in 1 to 2 years he should be ready to face anyone so long as he progress.
Good kid wish the best for him.
These guys are being pushed too fast.
He should fight Kabib. He has the profile – fight island on NYE – sounds sick!
Tim needs to just take his time and fight some real boxers of a good standard,build it up and when the time comes let it all happen …..that time is not anywhere near now !