Aussie boxer Tim Tszyu admits he finds it “hard to talk about” Jai Arrow as the South Sydney star continues to battle his motor neurone disease diagnosis.
Former world champion Tszyu, 31, is a huge Rabbitohs fan and has visited club training on several occasions during his career.
Watch Tim Tszyu speak with news.com.au via the video player above
The last of those came in December last year when he met South Sydney star Arrow.
And while he has not spent much time with the 100-game Rabbitohs star, Tszyu has sent him and his loved ones a touching message.
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Speaking exclusively to News.com.au, he said: “I did see him when I went to the Rabbitohs last year.
“It’s an emotional time, it’s hard to even talk about. I wish him and his family all the very best, all the strength.”
Tszyu is currently training in Thailand following his massive victory over Errol Spence Jr in July.
It is rumoured a fight with WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara is on the cards for December in Australia.
And Tszyu, who would become a two-weight world champion with victory over the 43-year-old Cuban-American, has fuelled the speculation by insisting Lara is in the works.
He said: “We sat down with the team, spoke about different options, and to become a two-time world champion is part of the plans.
“That’s what I’m chasing, against a guy called Lara.”
On the bout taking place Down Under, he added: “The boys at No Limit Boxing and PBC are real tight.
“So we’re able to make these fights happen and bring him over to Australia. That’s what we’re hoping for.”
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Tszyu is by no means overlooking Lara — a well-respected veteran who the Aussie insists he has been “watching for years”.
But he was also asked about a certain Jermell Charlo — who Tszyu was scheduled to fight in 2023 before the American broke his hand in training.
Wearing a shirt with the slogan “Unfinished Business”, Tszyu continued: “Of course I’m chasing Charlo. That’s unfinished business.
“Years and years it’s been spoken about already. At one time we were both the red-hot people at 154, so that’s why it needs to be made. I’m welcoming it.”
Reclaiming a world title would be a sensational turnaround for Tszyu — who was written off by many following back-to-back losses two years ago.
After suffering a close split decision defeat to Sebastian Fundora, he was stopped by Bakhram Murtazaliev inside three rounds in October 2024.
A second loss to Fundora in July last year threatened to be the end for Tszyu, but a run of three successive wins that culminated in a career-best triumph over Spence has resurrected his hopes of a second world championship.
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