Australian boxing star Tim Tszyu has announced his arrival on the international stage with a unanimous points decision over Terrell Gausha in his much-anticipated US debut in Minneapolis.
Tszyu was dropped in the opening round before recovering to win over the trio of American judges and claim a brave victory in his all-or-nothing world title eliminator on Saturday night (Sunday AEDT).
The Sydneysider’s hard-earned victory leaves him on track for a world-title shot at the winner of the May 14 unified rematch between American Jermell Charlo and Argentina’s Brian Castano.
“I’ll be watching and I’m coming for the two boys. Whoever wants it, come get it,” a jubilant Tszyu said.
But while he preserved his unbeaten record from 21 fights, Tszyu knows he must improve after his defences were exposed by the former Olympian Gausha.
Gausha rocked Tszyu early with a heavy right to his left eye, leaving the No.1-ranked challenger to Castano’s WBO light middleweight strap playing catch-up.
“It’s simple, a flash knockdown. Right on right. Got me on perfect timing,” Tszyu said.
“Look, it was good that I faced adversity for the first time and I was able to come back.
“I dug deep. All respect to my opponent, Terrell Gausha. He’s one hell of a warrior and he’s just a true gentleman.”
Tszyu certainly showed great courage to climb off the canvas and continue pushing forward trying to attack the American, who himself has never been floored in his own 24-fight career.
He struggled to penetrate Gausha’s renowned defence until hurting him with a series of body blows in the fourth round.
The onslaught from Tszyu continued in the fifth, unleashing the power to literally have Gausha on the ropes.
Trying to hang on, a desperate Gausha was warned for holding in the sixth round before winning the seventh after landing two more lethal rights to Tszyu’s head.
Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech lauded Gausha for his “amazing courage” to stay on his feet and Tszyu’s failure to land a knockout blow threatened to cruel his world title dream.
But the local judges acknowledged Tszyu’s overall domination to score the fight 114-113, 116-111, 115-112 in the Australian’s favour.
“I was just enjoying myself. I felt in control the whole time,” Tszyu said.
“I kept the pressure on. I wasn’t going to back down. I kept landing shots.
“I thought ‘f*** it, I’m going to keep coming forward and keep fighting.
“I didn’t take one step backwards.”
After beating all comers from Australia and Japanese warrior Takeshi Inoue in his previous bout, Tszyu was taking Australian boxing’s famous family name global for the first time since his world championship-winning father Kostya took out Sharmba Mitchell in his 15th and final fight in the US 16 years ago.
Pete
Guest
Really needs to lift his game got caught many times with the right hand Charlo and Castano would've seen that Charlo is a devastating body puncher and has a deadly right hand...sorry no chance Tim he needs more bouts in the US. before thinking about a title fight.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Hes got the WBC franchise belt which is THE BELT, Haney has a portion.
Stu
Roar Rookie
Very one-dimensional boxing abilities on display from both these boys today. Hope Tim makes a fortune then gets out before he really finds out how many searingly talented, desperate and dangerous boxers there are over there in the US.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Good on Tim. It's another step up the ladder to the world title. I think he's definitely left his mark on the U S boxing scene with his win.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Agree that Tszyu will need to lift his game substantially if he wants to go further on the world stage. He left me very underwhelmed. Before he was knocked down, he must have taken 6 or 7 jabs that split his defense. Gausha's right side was often open on the right side because of his high defense. Tszyu needed to pivot and get his opponent side on and really damage him. Tszyu just stayed toe to toe and square on. He was also quite stiff and slow by his standards. He was lucky to get the result with that performance. Let's hope he lifts. He should be staying in the states and getting some quality sparring partners. There just isn't the talent in Australia to challenge him the way he needs to be for a title fight.
Cam
Roar Rookie
His walk through the line boxing style will make him a very popular boxer in the US, but not sure how healthy it will be for Tim.
Womblat
Guest
Kambosos is not undisputed, he's unified. He doesn't have the WBC title. Yet. Agreed on the five more fights thing. He's almost there but.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Kamboso Jr was/is the first Aussie undisputed Champ, I cant see Tszyu beating any champ by that performance. he was very stiff with no head movement at all and didn't work his jab. 5 more fights then he might be ready.
Womblat
Guest
Wow. What an awesome performance. That answers the critics. Talk about stepping out of a big shadow on your own. That also leads to a cool opportunity. Castano and Charlo are fighting for the undisputed middleweight crown, all four major titles. If Tszyu is the mandatory after this fight, and beats Castano/Charlo, that will make him undisputed light middleweight champion. It's some time away but he's earned his shot. Kambosos is a unified champ at lightweight but he doesn't hold the WBC title, he's gotta get that off Devin Haney who is an absolute machine. They fight on June 5. The winner will be undisputed at lightweight. Either way, an Aussie has a chance to become our country's first undisputed world boxing champion. Good times for boxing in Australia.