The Australian super middleweight title is up for grabs when challenger Tim Tszyu takes on defending champion Joel Camilleri at Sydney’s Star Casino tonight. Join The Roar for a live blog of the action from around 8:45pm (AEST).
Tim Tszyu is the 24-year-old son of Russian-born boxing legend Kostya, who famously emigrated to Australia in the early 1990s and went on to become the undisputed world super lightweight champion in the early 2000s.
Sydney-raised Tim has the same facial features as his famous father, but he’s taller and heavier. He’s campaigning at super welterweight and is unbeaten in his 12 career fights so far, winning 10 by KO.
Kostya also had an aggressive style, with 25 of his 31 career wins coming by way of KO. He finished with a career record of 31-2.
All the hype is around Tim heading into this fight and he’s the heavy favourite. But defending champion Joel Camilleri will be determined to spoil the party. The 28-year-old Victorian won the Australian title in his last fight in February, stopping New Zealand-born Queenslander Billy Limov in five rounds in an impressive performance.
The undercard will feature 2012 Olympian Jai Opetaia (16-0) who’ll fight at cruiserweight, as well as ex-NRL star Justin Hodges in his second professional bout in the heavyweight division.
Prediction
Tszyu to seize his opportunity and deliver an impressive performance in securing a late stoppage, but he won’t have it all his own way.
Mesharch Patterson
Guest
Believe it or not Tim Tszyu like father will be a world title holder,still hasn't got to his prime and watching his father be a title holder in 3 divisions beat the best and couldn't get fights because he was feared just like his son reputation is going and his dad wanting him to get a touch up because he thinks it'll make him a better sportsman and not a boxer believe me Tim Tszyu will be Australia's Next world champion he wants to be better than his dad and that's a high achievement itself so get behind him going for it , no matter any decision he is winning already easily over the best we have or should say HAD
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Well done to Tim Tszyu - Kostya 2 keep learning, young man. It is refreshing to hear you, along with Horn speak well and show a little intelligence as opposed to what has come before you in recent times. Scandals and outrageous sound bites don't maketh the man.
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the call John, somehow I’m going to get into contact with Hodges and get that fight
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
Zerafa is coming off a victory over Les Sherrington last month so he would be available for a Tszyu next. I would like to see Tszyu defend his titles atleast once before chasing overseas fights. Really only a few fighters have been successful in world fights in oz, Mundine, Green Michael and Fenech the rest had to go overseas to win a world title.
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
Let’s hope Hogan gets a rematch with Munguia or atleast another shot at the vacant title if Munguia goes to middleweight. That could lead to that fantasy Hogan v Horn match up. As for Tszyu he has made a very good account of himself tonight but it lacked the big knockout statement that he needed to really get people to stand up and notice him, clearly Teleford v Brubaker was the fight of the night and rematch would attract great attention, maybe it could feature on the next Horn fight in August. Boxing is still what losing the public’s interest without Mundine and Tszyu and Horn are filing the gap. Hopefully Andrew Moloney gets his shot against IBF Champ Jerwin Ancajas and can bring a world title home
John Coomer
Roar Guru
I think Zerafa is more likely, Hogan will have a rematch with Munguia for the world title.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
I had it 98-92, but there were some close rounds that could have gone either way so 96-94 is certainly realistic. Tszyu is always going to get those close rounds though with the local judges, Australian boxing is investing in him. You could see that by the fact that he came out first even though he was the challenger. But that said, I think he finished most rounds stronger too, even when Camilleri started better, and that often sticks in the judges' minds too when they go to mark their cards at the end of each round.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Fight report Tim Tszyu has won the Australian super welterweight title with a unanimous decision over defending champion Joel Camilleri at Sydney’s Star Casino. The three judges scored the 10-round bout 99-91, 98-92 and 99-91 in favour of the 24-year-old son of boxing legend Kostya. He didn’t have it all his own way though. Camilleri has an awkward style and Tszyu found it hard to land his punches early. Tszyu was also cut over his left eye early in the fight from an overhand right from Camilleri, but his corner was able to control it. Camilleri moved well in the first half of the fight before Tszyu began controlling the ring and started to find his range. He landed clean shots more regularly in the later rounds, racking up the points. Tszyu started the last round aggressively, desperately wanting to make a statement with a knockdown or a KO, but Camilleri was too tough and experienced. He stayed on his feet and went the distance. The win takes Tszyu’s record to 13-0, while Camilleri drops to 17-6. Tszyu called out Jeff Horn in his post-fight interview, but that bout is unlikely to happen for a year or two with Horn chasing bigger overseas scalps. Tszyu will also benefit from having more fights in the meantime before taking on Horn.
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
Tszyu challenges Jeff Horn but simply not ready i would like him to see fight Michael Zerafa or Dennis Hogan next
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Tszyu has just called out Jeff Horn in his post-fight interview.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Tszyu has just been presented with the Australian super welterweight belt.
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
Tszyu won be not by that much my scorecard 96- to 94
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Unanimous decision to Tszyu, 99-91, 98-92, 99-91!
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
Great fight but Tszyu has it 6 rounds to three and one draw. Camerilli gave a fantastic effort but Tszyu outboxed him, this better not be another draw
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Just waiting for the decision now, it should be a comfortable unanimous decision to Tszyu.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 10 Last round, Tszyu starts aggressively, he wobbles Camilleri, he wants a KO! He 's landing flurries but Camilleri shows plenty of heart. He goes the distance and retains his record of never having been knocked down.
carolyn vincent
Guest
Love it! My first time on this kind of forum .. wish I could’ve been on it live.. good work John Coomer ????????
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
Camerilli round although Tszyu has too many rounds.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 9 Tszyu looking more comfortable now and lands a big right mid round. Camilleri is tough though and still awkward and making it hard for Tszyu to land consistently. Big left by Tszyu late. Another Tszyu round. One round to go!
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
Not much in it looks like the split decision may happen