Jeff Fenech made a pointed statement at Tim Tszyu’s fight in Wollongong, leaving the arena before the final bell.
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Tszyu overcame an ugly cut on his cheek to defeat previously unbeaten Denis Nurja to set up a showdown with American superstar Errol Spence later in the year.
The Aussie star hurt Nurja several times during the bout, but couldn’t get the brave Albanian out of there.
“He’s tough,” said Tszyu afterwards.
“I expected that, 20-0, they’re [Albanians] no joke.
“I thought I had him a couple of times, but he didn’t drop. Good rounds.”
In attendance on Sunday afternoon was Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech, who walked out of the arena in Round 7.
Seemingly unimpressed by what he saw, Fenech told reporter Brendan Bradford there were a few things he’d like to see Tszyu do better.
“He’s doing his job,” he said.
“He’s just jabbing. I’d like to see him throw the right hand first. Cut the ring off and throw the right hand, but look – he’s doing his job and that’s all that matters.”
When asked if he’d seen enough for Tszyu to be in the ring with Spence later this year, Fenech said that was Tszyu’s team’s decision.
“Tim could beat anybody – he’s shown that,” said Fenech
“…I hope he’s happy with his performance. He’s doing the job, that’s all he can do.”
Fenech previously told Fox Sports Australia that Tszyu could beat anyone when “properly prepared” – and offered a polite “no comment” when asked about Tszyu’s Cuban coach Pedro Diaz.
It follows Fenech’s decision back in December to boycott Tszyu’s first fight under a new team including Diaz – a man who has been involved with 20 world champions.
At the time, Fenech said the decision was due not only to how Tszyu was being trained, but after also having been given “zero input” into the preparations – and despite having initially been touted as a team consultant.
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Last weekend, it was confirmed Tszyu’s promoters No Limit have already agreed to terms on a huge bout with Spence.
Following the fight, Spence took to Twitter to let Tszyu know he was watching — and he will be waiting.
“You think s**t sweet I’m do you so bad!” he posted ominously.
Tszyu indicated after the fight that he was more than ready to take on the American superstar, who has been out of action since his brutal loss to Terrence Crawford.
“I feel like I’m up for it,” he said.
“You know what they say, catch the big fish – let’s go fishing.”
Later he added: “Errol Spence is going to come down and we will bang-on in the middle [of the ring].
“I hope it’s in Oz, but we will travel anywhere — in Australia would mean the world to me.”
No Limit promoter George Rose said he was happy with what he saw today from his charge.
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“I’m glad he got another ten rounds under the belt,” he said.
“He fought a tough Albanian who was looking for the kill.
“He got hit, he got split, but he stayed confident.
“It was like the Tim of old.”
When asked if there was going to be an announcement about the Spence fight soon, Rose kept his cards close to his chest.
“Our next announcement will be about Nikita Tszyu,” he said.
“Let me celebrate this win.”