‘Come on’: Tszyu’s awkward exchange before ‘career-risking’ fight
Nikita Tszyu isn’t buying into the hometown advantage for Ben Mahoney, as the two Australian boxers prepare to throw down in a world title eliminator.
The undefeated Tszyu cut a frustrated and sarcastic figure during the official pre-fight press conference on Monday, getting into an awkward back-and-forth with Main Event commentator Ben Damon on the Gold Coast.
Nikita Tszyu speaks at the press conference. Facebook/@NoLimitBoxingPromotions
The 28-year-old will meet Mahoney in the main event of Wednesday night’s pay-per-view card, with the winner in line for an IBF super welterweight tile shot.
Mahoney will have the local support in the fight, having grown up on the Glitter Strip, but Tszyu isn’t fazed and believes being on the road away from his family will hold him in good stead once the bell rings.
“It’s not my kind of weather ... I can’t stand this heat,” he said.
“I think being away from home is my advantage, I like to separate myself from my family. It’s a ritual that strengthens me, that distance from the comfortable and the love, it fuels something inside of me and brings out a certain kind of energy that I can’t have when there’s a lot of love and femininity around me.
“This last week, I’ve been sitting in the hotel room in the silence … just mentally preparing myself. We’re about to step into a ring and try to punch the living hell out of each other. There’s no love in this sport, it’s a crazy way to make a living.”
Tszyu (12-0, 1 no contest) was then asked how he plans to beat Mahoney, which was the moment things started to weirdly unravel at the presser.
“With my hands, what else? I’m not gonna headbutt him. I have to punch him, it’s a very simple sport -- hit and don’t get hit,” he responded.
Damon then asked if Tszyu thought he did that better than Mahoney and whether he was confident taking on another unbeaten Aussie.
“Nah I’m not, that’s why I’m fighting him, because I’m not better,” he said.
“I’m not confident. Come on. We’re about to fight each other, we’re not taking these fights because we think we’re gonna lose.”
He was then asked about what fans will see on Wednesday night, signing off with one last sarcastic remark as he sat under the Gold Coast sun.
“They’re gonna see some boxing, don’t overthink it,” Tszyu said.
Earlier, his opponent Mahoney (17-0) was in a far more talkative mood.
The 31-year-old said he was more than happy to risk the zero next to his record in order to secure a shot at world championship gold.
Ben Mahoney is the underdog in this week’s fight. Getty
“It’s amazing to fight here on the Gold Coast, this is where I was born and raised and to be able to sleep in my own bed the morning of the fight means the most and I know I’m gonna have a massive rally here,” Mahoney said.
“I think for the mainstream media and people that watch boxing on Main Event and sit in front of their teles, Nikita is definitely the favourite. You look at the betting odds, it says it ... but I think for the people who are in the industry and know who I am and have seen me come through -- I’m the people’s favourite.
“This is why we do this thing, we train from a young age and put our life on hold and we dedicate everything to this, so we can get opportunities like this.
“People talk about ‘why are these boys risking it’ but why wouldn’t we? We’ve got an eliminator and the chance to go on and fight for the ultimate gold.
“I live for this, it’s nothing against Nikita and it’s nothing personal, but this is my chance to go forward and complete my dream.
“We’re in the wrong sport if you don’t believe in yourself.”
No Limit CEO George Rose described it as “one of the best domestic match-ups you’re ever gonna see” and believes Tszyu is on the verge of becoming a global star.
Nikita Tszyu is undefeated through 13 fights. Getty
“Nikita Tszyu has been an absolute superstar ever since he came onto the scene and loves fighting an undefeated opponent,” Rose said.
“He seems to choose the hardest possible route that he can and that’s what he’s done so far in his professional career. He’s the most entertaining guy that we’ve got here and he’s a scary fighter for myself because he puts it all on the line.
“Every time you watch “The Butcher” you see something new from him and depending on who his opponent is, you never know what you’re gonna get.
“Nikita Tszyu is a guy who I believe is right on the brink of global stardom and he’s a guy who has got more personality than we see in most people, you never know what you’re gonna hear from him in a press conference. They have risked their careers by taking this fight. They’re putting it all on the line to go on to become a world title challenger.”
