'Not the same fighter': Tim Tszyu sends message to naysayers as he locks in December fight
Updated . First published
Tim Tszyu will be looking to finish an otherwise down year on a high when he faces unbeaten American Anthony Velazquez in a scheduled 10-round contest on December 17 at ICC Exhibition Centre in Sydney.
Keen to put the past 18 months behind him, Tszyu will enter the contest with new trainer Pedro Diaz in his corner, against an 18-0-1 (15 KOs) Velazquez, who has only fought in scheduled 10-round contests twice, winning both via unanimous decision.
Both bouts took place in Velazquez's home town of Springfield, Massachusetts. The trip to Australia in December will be the first time he has travelled abroad in his professional career.
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Tszyu's return comes after a turbulent 18 months in which he suffered three world-title losses to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev.
"December 17 is my chance to get back on track. The past eighteen months have tested me and humbled me, but coming home for this fight in Sydney has given me a new sense of clarity and purpose," Tszyu said.
"I'm not the same fighter, despite what critics may say. I'm sharper, hungrier, and more driven because of what I've gone through.
"I'm grateful to No Limit Boxing and to everyone who stayed positive despite things not going my way recently.
"I'm fighting for my family, my team, my supporters, and for anyone who has ever been knocked down and chosen to rise again. This is my chance to remind everyone who I am and where I belong."
Tim Tszyu fighting back in Sydney for the first time since 2023. Main Event
Velazquez also expressed confidence going to into the match up next month.
"I've seen a couple of his fights, he's had a great career so far but I'm coming to Australia to win. I think I can win in multiple ways, so I'm going to just fight my fight and however it plays out, it's just win.
"I'm looking forward to the energy from the Australian fans because it doesn't mean anything. At the end of the day, it's just us in the ring with the gloves on who decides the outcome."
Tszyu is currently training in Miami with Diaz, and the Sydney bout could serve as a farewell of sorts, with claims he could move to the southern US city full-time with his wife.
He credits Diaz with helping him rediscover his love of the sport after defeats in three of his last four clashes.
Tszyu's last appearance in Sydney came in a March 2023 knockout victory over former WBC champion Tony Harrison.
Tszyu's bout comes one month ahead of younger brother Nikita, who faces Michael Zerafa in a domestic grudge match on January 16 in Brisbane.
