Tim Tszyu slams Jermell Charlo as a "coward" and "fraud"
Tim Tszyu, Australia's WBO super welterweight champion, is preparing for his highly anticipated Las Vegas debut against American Keith Thurman in March, and he's not holding back. In a fiery interview at Sydney Airport, Tszyu unleashed harsh words on Jermell Charlo, the former champion who pulled out of a fight with him and recently lost his title.
"I've come to the conclusion that I'm never going to fight him because he's a bit of a coward and finally all the sanctioning bodies are realizing that he's a fraud," Tszyu declared. He criticized Charlo for dodging fights and neglecting his title obligations, calling it "unfair" to the entire division.
[caption id="attachment_5993" align="alignnone" width="828"] Jermall Charlo[/caption]
While Tszyu's comments are certainly strong, they stem from a long-standing frustration. Charlo was initially scheduled to fight Tszyu in January, but pulled out due to a hand injury, leaving Tszyu in limbo. This latest outburst suggests a deep-seated disappointment with Charlo's actions, impacting not just Tszyu's career but the entire division's title picture.
Instead of dwelling on Charlo, Tszyu's focus is now squarely on Thurman, a formidable opponent with a single loss on his record and a reputation for power and skill. Tszyu acknowledges the challenge ahead, calling it a "pinch yourself moment" and a "big deal" to headline in the United States. He believes his peak performance will be too much for Thurman to handle, even though Thurman has never faced anyone like him.
Interestingly, Tszyu has experience mimicking Thurman's fighting style, having sparred with Pacquiao in 2019 before Pacquiao's victory over Thurman. This unique perspective could give Tszyu an edge in the fight, as he claims to know Thurman's strengths and weaknesses intimately.
The article also mentions Michael Zerafa, Australia's controversial middleweight contender, who will be fighting on the undercard. Zerafa, known for his outspoken nature and rivalry with Tszyu, has a long-awaited title shot against Erislandy Lara. The article ends with Tszyu jokingly dismissing Zerafa's potential challenge, adding to the ongoing tension between the two Aussie fighters.
Overall, the article paints a picture of a determined Tszyu, ready to showcase his skills on the world stage and silence his critics. His fiery words about Charlo add spice to the upcoming fight, while his respect for Thurman and understanding of his style hint at a thrilling and unpredictable matchup. With Zerafa's presence on the undercard, the event promises to be a night of high-stakes boxing and Aussie rivalries.
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