There has been wild drama in the minutes leading up to Tim Tszyu’s blockbuster fight with his brother unleashing hell.
Welcome to news.com.au’s live coverage of the Tim Tszyu blockbuster showdown with Tony Harrison.
The Aussie star is headlining one of the biggest days in Australian boxing as he risks a world title superfight against Jermell Charlo in order to hold the interim WBO super welterweight title in Sydney on Sunday.
Watch undefeated Aussie superstar Tim Tszyu return to the ring for his biggest fight yet versus USA’s former world champion Tony Harrison for an Interim WBO Super Welterweight title LIVE Sunday March 12. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS
The 28-year-old was set to fight unified super welterweight champion Charlo in Las Vegas in January but a hand injury to Charlo meant that fight was postponed.
If he wins, Tszyu will become Australia’s fifth current boxing world champion, albeit an interim one, and replicate his famous father, Kostya Tszyu, by becoming world champion.
You can stream the blockbuster by heading to mainevent.com.au.
12.30pm — Nikita Tszyu Butchers another opponent
Nikita Tszyu has recorded the fourth knockout win of his career with a brutal pummelling of Bo Belbin.
The 25-year-old’s star continues to rise as his record improved to 5-0.
Tszyu left Belbin bloodied in the third round and the fight was stopped minutes later in the fourth.
Belbin and Tszyu hugged immediately after the fight was stopped with Belbin’s face looking like something one would normally see in a butcher shop.
‘My god’: Tooth goes flying as fighter knocked out
There was a brutal start to the star-studded undercard as Russian Imam Khatev demolished Gi Sung Gwak.
Aussie boxing legend Barry Michael was calling for the fight to be stopped just 60 seconds into the first round as Gi Sung Gwak suffered a barrage of shots.
It was a short-range left hook that was the telling blow as the South Korean stumbled to the floor in the second round.
The referee jumped in to stop the fight despite Gi Sung Gwak getting back to his feet.
Replays after the fight showed Khatev’s hook sent one of Gi Sung Gwak’s teeth flying out of the ring and into the first row of seats.
“My god,” Michael said.
“What a beautiful short left hook. Bang, flush on the chin. There is a tooth.”
Main Event’s Paul Kent said “it’s been a long time since I’ve seen that” in relation to Gwak’s flying tooth.
Tszyu’s insane eight-hour weight gain
Tim Tszyu packed on eight kilos in eight hours in a bonkers 24 hours heading into the biggest day of his career.
While it is common for boxer’s to regain 5kg after a weigh-in the day before a fight, it is rare for a fighter to carry an additional 18lb.
According to Fox Sports’ Cody Kaye, Tszyu stacked on 8kg in a matter of hours.
He is expected to walk into the ring at up to 168 pounds after weighing in at 153.6lb.
Harrison also stepped off the scales at 153.5lb.
Tim Tszyu will have an extra 8kg on him the next time the world sees him Photo: Sam Ruttyn.
Speaking moments before the weigh-in, Tszyu stressed his weight cut had been much easier than for previous fights.
“I’m ready man, ready to go,” he said.
Tszyu will come in closer to super middleweight today. He’d put on 8kg by 4pm yesterday. #TszyuHarrison
— cody kaye (@Cody_KayeFOX) March 11, 2023
“My body feels in the best shape it’s ever been.
“The whole lead up has brought me to this moment.”
‘He doesn’t respect him’: American’s big mistake
Aussie boxing guru Barry Michael believes Tim Tszyu will score one of the biggest wins in Australian boxing by knocking out Tony Harrison.
Michael said he has watched Harrison’s preparation for the fight closely and believes his camp has made a big mistake.
“The whole build up to it, I just get the feeling that the American’s are totally underestimating Tim’s power and his boxing ability,” Michael said on Main Event on Sunday.
“I think if Tim gets through the first four rounds, I think he will start to break him down. This guy’s lost three fights, all by knock out late in fights. Tim Tszyu for a knockout for me.”
Paul Kent meanwhile said: “He (Harrison) is extremely confident. He doesn’t respect what Tim Tszyu has done. He doesn’t respect anyone of any standing that he’s fought and in some ways he is right. This is a massive step up for Tim Tszyu.”
Full fight card results
Tim Tszyu vs Tony Harrison – super welterweight
Sam Goodman vs TJ Doheny
Paulo Aokuso vs Yunieski Gonzales
Nikita Tszyu vs Bo Belbin
Issac Hardman vs Rohan Murdock
Ben Mahoney-Koen Mazoudier draw (97-93, 94-97, 95-95)
Shanell Dargan defeated Courtney Martin via unanimous decision (39×37, 40-36 x2)
Imam Khatev defeated Gi Sung Gwak via knockout, Round 2
What are they fighting for?
Tszyu and Harrison are fighting for the interim WBO super welterweight title.
Where is the fight?
Tszyu vs Harrison will take place at Sydney’s Qudos Arena, where a capacity crowd of 20,000 is expected.
When is the fight?
The fight will take place on the afternoon of Sunday 12 March.
Coverage of the fight card begins at 12pm (AEDT), so Tszyu and Harrison can be expected to enter the ring from around 3pm (AEDT), although timing isn’t an exact science in boxing.
How can I watch the fight?
Tszyu vs Harrison is a pay-per-view fight.
You can watch the PPV on Main Event or stream it on Kayo for $59.95.
Purchase the PPV here.
Tale of the tape
Tim Tszyu
Age: 28
Record: 21-0-0
KO wins: 15
Height: 174cm
Reach: 183cm
Tony Harrison
Age: 32
Record: 29-3-1
KO wins: 21
Height: 185cm
Reach: 194cm
Betting odds (Sportsbet)
Tim Tszyu is favoured with the bookies, paying $1.45 to win, while Harrison is a $3 underdog.
Tszyu Points or Decision: $3.15
Tszyu KO/TKO: 2.50
Draw: $17
Harrison Points or Decision: $4.90
Harrison KO/TKO: $6.25
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