Aussie boxing legend Jeff Fenech says he won’t be attending Tim Tszyu‘s blockbuster bout in Sydney against undefeated American Anthony Velazquez on Wednesday night, in protest over his training and preparations under new coach, Pedro Diaz. Fenech was announced as part of Tszyu’s entourage less than three months ago, in what was a major shake-up of the Aussie boxer’s team.
Tszyu turned heads this year after deciding to let go of long-time coach Igor Goloubev and manager Glen Jennings after three-straight world title defeats against Sebastian Fundora (twice) and Bakhram Murtazliev. The 31-year-old unveiled Darcy Ellis as his new manager, Mike Altamura as new matchmaker and suggested Fenech was joining the team in an advisory role.
Tim Tszyu’s new coach Pedro Diaz has come under fire for the team’s preparations heading into Wednesday night’s fight against Anthony Velazquez in Sydney. Pic: Main Event/Getty
And after an extensive search for a new coach, Tszyu eventually landed on Cuban Diaz, who has worked with more than 20 world champions. But despite the pedigree of Tszyu’s new mentor, Fenech says videos posted online by Diaz from their recent training camps have left him seriously concerned for Tszyu ahead of his Sydney homecoming.
“When I watch this guy do pads… it’s f***ing worse than anything I’ve ever seen,” Fenech told Fox Sports. “Honestly, whenever I watch the footage it makes me laugh. I just keep thinking to myself ‘wow, this is the same stuff Tim was doing with his old team’. I’ve seen nothing different.”
Jeff Fenech slams Tim Tszyu’s preparations for Sydney fight
Fenech says it’s not necessarily a swipe at Tszyu’s new coach, but described the training approach as “two steps backwards” for the Aussie fighter, who is looking to rejuvenate his career. “Which isn’t me saying anything about Pedro Diaz, who has trained world champions,” he continued.
“But unless he’s doing the real sessions behind closed doors with Tim, which I seriously doubt, from what I’ve seen, it’s like he’s taken two steps backwards. And I’m saying this because I love Tim Tszyu… Which is why I’m being honest. From what I’ve seen him doing at training, it’s bulls***”.”
Diaz has only just joined up with Tszyu and his team in Sydney in recent days, having been in the corner for another one of his fighters – Noel Mikaeljan – for the Armenian’s WBC cruiserweight title fight over the weekend. And Fenech insists that’s also a massive mistake from Tszyu’s coach after explaining how crucial the lead-up to a major bout is for a fighter.
Aussie boxing legend Jeff Fenech says he won’t be attending Tim Tszyu’s Sydney fight due to concerns around his countryman’s preparations. Pic: Getty
“Listen, these last 10 days are the most important,” the Aussie legend said. “So Diaz not being here? It’s the worst thing ever. Regardless of whether Tim wins or loses this fight, the preparation has been s***. He might think it’s great. But from what I’ve seen, he hasn’t done anything different to previously.
“He’s just got a different person with him. This is just me being honest. I don’t give a f*** what people say because as I like to play the cards as they play out. Which is why I won’t be going to the fight.
Tszyu could have his work cut out against undefeated American knockout specialist Velazquez on Wednesday night. And the US fighter’s trainer Hector Bermudez has also been scathing of Tszyu’s coach after insisting that the Aussie picked the wrong mentor and should not have parted ways with his long-time coach.
Bermudez says after watching Tszyu’s defeats against Fundora and Murtazliev, and hearing him speak to reporters in the aftermath, the Aussie appears “lost”. And Bermudez believes it explains Tszyu’s eye-opening decision to overhaul his team.
“I think it’s a mental lapse,” Bermudez said. “I think he’s lost right now. Hearing him speak, it isn’t how he used to speak. And this is nothing against Tim, he’s a nice kid and a proven fighter. He’s proved himself to go against adversity.
“There was just a time [against Fundora] where he had a mental lapse, he gave up. All Tim needs is the mental aspect. He don’t need a new coach. And even if he did need a new coach, you bring one in to work with your current coach who already knows you if you’re getting back in there after five months.”