'I'm back': Tim Tszyu revives boxing career against previously undefeated American
Updated . First published at
Tim Tszyu picked his battered boxing career up off the canvas in a 10-round grind in Sydney on Wednesday night, carving out a win via unanimous decision against previously undefeated American Anthony Velazquez.
The fallen former world champion, fighting under his new moniker "The Phoenix", bounced back from three defeats in four fights at TikTok Entertainment Centre in Darling Harbour.
Two judges awarded him the fight 100-90 and the other 100-91, ensuring that for all the rockiness he's faced in recent times he remains undefeated on home soil.
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"I'm back," a relieved Tszyu declared.
He had a pointed message for his critics, including legendary Australian boxing trainer Johnny Lewis, who had said Tszyu should retire if he lost again.
"A couple of days ago, same old question: 'Are you gonna retire after this fight if you lose?' Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
"But no, I'm f---ing back guys. I'm f---ing back, all right?"
Tim Tszyu is declared the winner. Getty
The highlight of Tszyu's win was a right-hand hook that split open Velazquez's face.
The 31-year-old upped the ante in the fourth and fifth rounds, cut open his rival in the sixth and otherwise largely fought a conservative fight.
He copped a punch to the groin in the fifth round that briefly left him grimacing and riled him up.
"I wanted to feel comfortable in there, I wanted to get in the ring, not try to go for the KO [knockout] and get reckless," said Tszyu, who switched from super welterweight to catchweight for the fight.
"In the past, that's what actually came wrong by me.
"I wanted to take my time, use the jab. I've got all the skills in the world; I just need to apply them.
"I've got a game opponent today, and a scorecard of 10 rounds, so I'm pretty happy with that."
Tim Tszyu going toe-to-toe with Anthony Velazquez. Getty
Reflecting on a career-hijacking run in which he twice lost to American Sebastian Fundora and once to Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev, Tszyu thanked his supporters.
"Thank you Australia, thanks for backing me," said the former WBO super-welterweight world champion.
"Boxing — it's a rollercoaster of a ride. Emotions up and down.
"But I'm very blessed to be in this position right now, and I just thank everyone from the bottom of my heart, from my previous team to my new team, to everyone that's stuck by me. I appreciate all your love."
Tszyu put a broom through his team after losing to Fundora in Las Vegas in July, replacing long-time trainer Igor Goloubev with Pedro Diaz, employing Mike Altamura and Darcy Ellis as co-managers, and bringing in Australian boxing royalty Jeff Fenech as an advisor.
Fenech, however, wasn't at the fight on Wednesday night.
The boxing great had in fact described footage out of Tszyu's new camp in Miami as "f---ing worse than anything I've seen".
A moving tribute was observed for the victims of the Bondi shooting ahead of a fight between Sam Goodman and Tyler Blizzard.
A ringside bell was rung several times and a moment's silence followed.
Tim Tszyu throws a left hand at his American rival. Getty
Latrell headlines star-studded crowd
Rooting for Tszyu in the crowd were a huge number of NRL personalities, most of them Rabbitohs players.
The entire South Sydney squad was seemingly in attendance, including superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell, the troublesome Brandon Smith and high-profile recruit David Fifita.
Master coach Wayne Bennett watched the early fights ringside but had seemingly vanished come the main event.
Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell was among a huge number of NRL personalities in the crowd. Getty
Former Melbourne Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona was also in the house, a fortnight after signing a multi-year contract with No Limit Boxing following his admission that he'd "fallen out of love" with rugby league.
Legendary halfback Andrew Johns was in attendance, too, kicking back with a beer in hand.
The AFL had representation in the form of Giants Clayton Oliver and Jake Stringer.
And Tszyu's bitter arch-rival Michael Zerafa jetted in from Melbourne for the fight.
The man dubbed "Pretty Boy" made a cameo on the Main Event commentary panel and had a face-off with Nikita Tszyu in the ring, ahead of his bout against "The Butcher" in Brisbane on January 16.
