By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
WBO #4 super welterweight Tony Harrison and WBO #1 Tim Tszyu participated in a video conference today to announce their WBO interim 154-pound title bout on Sunday March 12 (Saturday in USA) at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney that has a 21,000 capacity. The New South Wales government outbid both Victoria and Queensland governments to secure the fight for Sydney
Tony Harrison: “I’ve told everybody I’m in a real fight. I’m definitely not knocking Tim but I think the money behind him, the name behind him has pushed him. There’s so many people I could put in front of Tim to get a title shot against Jermell Charlo.
“Tim, to me, hasn’t fought anybody or accomplished anything, they just put the money up. But he’s definitely a tough fighter. But when you look at my road , the things that I had to do and the obstacles I had to jump over, he took the elevator, I took the stairs. And I’m just like, ‘How did he get there?’. Somebody make sense of it to me.”
Tim Tszyu: “Boxing is not just about skills. There’s a lot more involved. It’s an all-rounded game. He might think I’m lacking skills but we’ll see. I’m not here for a debating contest, to say how good my skills are or how bad my skills are, I just gotta show it. It’s quite simple.”
Harrison…Tim took the elevator, I took the stairs…well by the time you get up there you’ll be very tired & fresh Tim will knock you down & all the way down your stairs you go lol!
This will be a good fight. Harrison will test tzsyu. I think his youth, power and energy will carry him through to a close decision though.
If this fight goes the distance, I doubt Harrison will get the decision. So, in my point of view Tim must win clearly to avoid a tainted victory, being a KO the best option
I want Tszyu to make easy work of him just so we get a chance to see him in with Charlo.
Love Tony but he’s ‘chinny’….TSZYU by 5th round KO
A comment worth remembering; “he took the elevator, I took the stairs”.
Although simplified, I think Harrison has a point.
There is a difference between a fighter who has seen and done everything and one who has made his way in a more protected environment.
I have a hard time imagining a better test for a title fight than Harrison. Don’t underestimate him.
If Tszyu wins, he has an invaluable experience with him into the ring against Charlo. That way, Charlo’s injury can become gold worth for Tszyu.
But. I’m far from sure that Tszyu will manage Harrison.
Good points you made especially over the stairs versus the elevator comment. Harrison fights much better when he is pushing the fight rather than being passive aggressive with counters. Harrison has the tools to beat Tszyu. However, if Tszyu keeps consistent pressure on Harrison and has him backing up, Tszyu wins on points. My prediction? Tszyu UD.
Thanks and good points. It’s a bit like how I’ve seen the fight develop as you describe.
But the more I think about it the more uncertain I become.
What makes me unsure is the large difference in height and reach in Harrison’s favor, 6’1”/76½” against 5’8½”/72”.
None of Tszyu’s previous opponents have had that advantage.
But on the other hand can Harrison really manage Tzsyu’s physique over 12 rounds?
Harrison on points, or Tzsyu by TKO in the later rounds.
An exciting fight for sure.
Good take.,.I agree…. Actually good test for both to see where they wre
Good fight on paper, let’s hope it plays out as such in the ring. This is the fight Tszyu should have had anyway before Charlo to see where he is at. In that regard, Harrison is accurate in what he said, IMO.
Its a good fight. Tsyzu will rightfully earn his shot with the win rather than him having a name and so thats where the money is, and so he gets a shot at undisputed.
Good for Harrison willing to mention what the media wont; there were more deserving fighters at 154. This fight will tell if Tsyzu is another David Lemieux or something better.
Harrison has a very good chance to win this. He has more skill, hand speed, better defense. Tim has power and will be the local fighter.
Harrison w 12u.
Time for Tim to blow the Kazoo
Hopefully this isn’t going to be a letdown
Harrison isn’t wrong about anything he said, including that Tim is tough. Tim is actually a bonified hard ass and he can punch hard the whole 12 rounds. Harrison will likely win the 1st half of the fight but get stopped in the 10th or 11th round. This will be great experience for the young and unproven Tim Tsyzu.
Tim is going to be taken to school and the trenches.