Tim Tszyu's promoters sabotaged rival's travel plans, says trainer Hector Bermudez
Anthony Velzaquez's trainer has accused Tim Tszyu's promoters of attempting to sabotage his fighter by causing disruptions to their trip Down Under.
In a fiery press conference on Friday, the American's coach Hector Bermudez said he and his charge went straight from the airport to front the media gathering ahead of next week's match-up at TikTok Entertainment Centre.
Velazquez (18-1-0), was supposed to arrive on Wednesday, but was not permitted to leave Los Angeles because the name on his reservation didn't match his passport.
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Tim Tszyu ahead of his super welterweight bout with Anthony Velazquez. No Limit Boxing/ Mark Kolbe
"Whatever happened, hey, we're here now," Velazquez said.
"They cancelled the flight. I don't know what reason why they cancelled it."
Bermudez claimed Tszyu's promoters, No Limit, had a hand in Velazquez's delayed exit, leaving him just days to prepare for the bout on Wednesday.
He said Tszyu's people know how important this bout is, with the Sydney fighter losing three of his last four.
"It was probably the promotion, or some type of strategy from the promoters," Bermudez said.
Tim Tszyu faces off against Anthony Velazquez ahead of their highly anticipated bout. No Limit Boxing/ Mark Kolbe
"They want to get my man tired, unfocused.
"He's a young boy. The only thing that can get him unfocused is that ugly face right there [Tszyu]."
He added: "I just know that they picked the wrong fighter [to mess with].
"I know that when you're trying to rebuild a fighter, you don't pick a puncher."
Bermudez was vocal at the press conference on Friday, dismissing Tszyu and his attempt to rebuild his career through famed Cuban trainer Pedro Diaz.
The Australian took part in a two-month camp in Miami training under Diaz, but his new mentor will only be by his side a day before the must-win fight.
Diaz is set to work with Norair Mikaeljan in his WBC cruiserweight world title clash against Badou Jack on Sunday (AEDT), before travelling to Sydney.
Hector Bermudez (L) speaks on Friday. Main Event
It means Tszyu will spend the last ten days of his fight preparation without his new team, leading the Sydney fighter to reach out to one of his old coaches to help out while Diaz stays connected remotely.
"Pedro Diaz is probably a really, really good amateur coach," Bermudez said.
"He has a lot of knowledge about boxing. He always gets hired and then gets fired. That's his career.
"Switching trainers is probably a detriment to his [Tszyu] career right now.
"No way you can develop chemistry that quick with someone. Someone's style is built through their career.
"The ring is going to expose every instinct that you have. Instincts are built throughout time with whatever trainer he had before."
