'Ready to retire': Trainer clashes with Tim Tszyu in fiery face-off
Updated . First published at
Tim Tszyu and Anthony Velazquez's teams clashed at their first face-off ahead of their 10-round super welterweight bout to be held at Sydney's ICC Exhibition Centre next Wednesday.
The confrontation began when Velazquez's trainer, Hector Bermudez, delivered some fighting words just before the fighters came face to face.
Tszyu (24-3, 17 KOs) will enter the contest with new trainer Pedro Diaz in his corner, facing the undefeated American Velazquez (18-0-1, 15 KOs). Velazquez has only gone the scheduled 10-round distance twice, winning both times by unanimous decision.
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Tim Tszyu faces off against Anthony Velazquez ahead of their highly anticipated super welterweight bout. No Limit Boxing/ Mark Kolbe
Travelling abroad for the first time in his professional career, Velazquez has arrived in Sydney just days before fight night, delayed by an unexpected flight cancellation out of Los Angeles.
Fronting up at the opening media workouts at Tszyu's gym in Rockdale, Velazquez stressed that neither his disrupted preparation nor the outside noise from his opponent's decisions will impact his performance.
However, Bermudez did not hold back, repeatedly questioning Tszyu's coaching change, preparation and resilience.
He suggested the Australian star has committed critical errors during this pivotal moment in his career.
"Tim Tszyu is ready to retire. We're going to help him out," he said.
"Switching trainers right now is probably a detriment to his career right now.
Hector Bermudez struck a far more confrontational stance. No Limit Boxing/ Mark Kolbe
"You don't develop chemistry that quick with someone. Chemistry between a trainer and a fighter is built throughout their career.
"When the ring explodes, instincts come out, and instincts are lived through time with whoever the trainer was he had before, not eight weeks.
"Tim had a pro style from the very beginning, and you go to a Cuban coach to learn an amateur system. You don't do that now.
"Whatever success he has won't be because of this change, and it could hurt him more than help him.
"He quit once, and that stays with you. The body remembers punishment.
"Once he feels something, it's gonna remind him of quitting or getting knocked down. He's either gonna quit again, or he's gonna get knocked out by the sixth round."
Back on home soil after an extended training camp in the United States with Diaz, Tszyu was unmoved by the rhetoric.
The 31-year-old's return follows a turbulent 18-month stretch where he suffered three consecutive world-title losses to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev.
Tim Tszyu ahead of his super welterweight bout with Anthony Velazquez. No Limit Boxing/ Mark Kolbe
Tszyu made it clear his mindset has locked onto one objective, with fight night imminent.
"It was good to come home and see my family, see my dog, but this isn't a holiday. It's the same mission I left Australia with," he said.
"Seeing him for the first time didn't mean much — I just can't wait to get in there and punch his face.
"That's honestly what was going through my head. I've watched him fight, I see his strengths and his weaknesses, and he's no bum — but it's my time now to change the narrative.
"I don't care about the cameras anymore, I don't care about the noise. I'm focused on one job, and that's getting the victory. That's it. Simple."
