Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhich, undeniably, is some admission.<\/p>\n
Not to mention a guaranteed fast path to that second half of Iron Mike\u2019s manifesto.<\/p>\n
Getting punched in the mouth?<\/p>\n
By his own admission, Tszyu has known something about that recently.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd three times now,\u201d he continues, kicking back inside his Rockdale gym, \u201cI\u2019ve been dropped in the first two rounds<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, three times? That\u2019s not a f***ing coincidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s me not having a plan \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Tim Tszyu out for career resurrection | 02:05<\/p>\n
Although please don\u2019t mistake this for Tszyu blaming that old corner now gone from his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh no,\u201d he stresses, leaned back casually against the ring ropes while sat chatting on the outside apron. \u201cI\u2019ve got dropped because of me\u201d.<\/p>\n
Yep, if ever you wanted to truly make sense of the incredible chaos engulfing Tszyu over the past two months specifically \u2013 and past two years generally \u2013 it\u2019s right here in these six words. <\/p>\n
I\u2019ve got dropped because of me.<\/p>\n
Understanding that when it comes to what may just be the most discussed freefall in Australian boxing history – and soon enough, a resurrection right down to that Phoenix fight moniker – this fella with the greatest pay-per-view numbers outside Mundine\/Green takes all responsibility.<\/p>\n
Tim Tszyu at his gym in Rockdale. Photo: Tom ParrishSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
Call it a truth proved by Tszyu not only spending $50,000 to find a new coach, or leaving his wife, and life, for two months so as to immerse more deeply into boxing than he had in years, but even switching up his schmick Mercedes Benz for a Kia. <\/p>\n
Only 10 weeks since sacking the crew that took him to WBC gold \u2013 most specifically, coach Igor Goloubev and manager Glen Jennings — Tszyu is now readying for next Wednesday\u2019s hyped return against undefeated American Anthony Velazquez. <\/p>\n
Incredibly, Tszyu says it will be the first time he has ever arrived into fight week with a detailed round-by-round plan.<\/p>\n
Same as rather than Diaz simply rebuilding him, the fighter stresses it is as much about rediscovering what has somehow been lost along the way.<\/p>\n
Yet more than anything else, Tszyu knows the change must come from within. <\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I\u2019m the one who made mistakes,\u201d he says, referencing what has now been three straight world title losses against Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev.<\/p>\n
Throw in too, that hyped 2022 US debut that saw him dropped after less than a round against Terrell Gausha, before eventually recovering to earn what, at the time, would be his 21st straight win.<\/p>\n
And yes, more recently, things have been dire enough for US boxing analyst Chris Algieri to suggest Tszyu\u2019s career is perched on the edge of a cliff \u2013 with one more loss set to see him disappear forever. <\/p>\n
Undefeated gun vows to end Tim’s career | 01:05<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s been due to my mistakes,\u201d Tszyu continues. \u201cMy thinking.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the blame is on me.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd always will be.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nobody to blame for any of this besides me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yet more than taking blame, Tszyu has also accepted he needs to change.<\/p>\n
Big time.<\/p>\n
Which is why it has now been nine weeks since he jetted into America to begin the whirlwind search that would eventually see him sweating inside the Miami, Florida gym of esteemed Cuban trainer Pedro Diaz.<\/p>\n
The same Diaz, hardcore boxing fans will remind you, who way back in the early 2000s also went and resurrected Miguel Cotto.<\/p>\n
And all the way, in fact, to a $70 million blockbuster against Floyd Mayweather.<\/p>\n
Tim Tszyu and trainer Pedro Diaz in Miami. Picture: SuppliedSource: Supplied<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Pedro has already mentioned the similarities between myself and Cotto,\u201d Tszyu continues. \u201cWe both arrived on his doorstep at the same age, and with a similar style, similar power. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo stylistically, the changes we\u2019re making aren\u2019t crazy. <\/p>\n
\u201cInstead, it\u2019s more about fine tuning, and fighting with intelligence.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause previously in fights, I\u2019ve tried to fight with power, with domination.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd while I can still do that, it\u2019s now about fighting intelligently, not getting emotional and sticking to a game plan \u2026 which isn\u2019t something I\u2019ve really had before.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tszyu’s opponent has travel hiccup | 01:06<\/p>\n
You haven\u2019t planned out fights previously?<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, never. It\u2019s always been a case of \u2018OK, let\u2019s just get in there\u2019. Looking back now, I really was relying on my God given abilities. Relying on my athleticism and presence in the ring. So it hasn\u2019t been that these fighters have all been better than me. They weren\u2019t. Instead, I was unprepared. I\u2019ve gone in cold and fought like a hothead. I became so eager to stop my opponent, to knock them out, that I forgot about everything else.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everything?<\/p>\n
\u201cEven things I\u2019m good at. Which is why now it\u2019s about being intelligent, and bringing that intelligence with me into the ring. This isn\u2019t so much about learning new things as remembering what I have. Bringing back these things I\u2019ve always had, that went missing.\u201d<\/p>\n
How does this fight week feel different?<\/p>\n
\u201cPedro has a plan for everything. And a lot of decisions are science based. Previously entering fight weeks around this time, I\u2019d feel battered. And that\u2019s because I was always going hard. Even in fight week we would go hard in training. But that also meant I was leaving a lot in the gym. But this time around, man, I feel like a matador rather than the bull.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tim Tszyu leaves the ring after his match with Sebastian Fundora for their WBC welterweight championship world titles of the Premiere Boxing Championship on Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on July 19, 2025. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun\/Anadolu via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Michael Zerafa suggested to me recently that your brother Nikita\u2019s schtick around his Butcher persona is embarrassing the family name, and embarrassing you and your Hall of Fame father specifically. Thoughts?<\/p>\n
\u201c[Laughs] Well, he\u2019s got a point. Because some of the s*** my brother says, man, I dunno. But we can\u2019t keep being compared to each other. We\u2019re different. Growing up, my dad left early on and so I took on that father figure role. But do I need to do that anymore? No, I don\u2019t. Same as I don\u2019t need to act like anybody\u2019s father, either. So whatever Nikita says, that\u2019s Nikita.\u201d<\/p>\n
Are you guys still sweet?<\/p>\n
\u201cHe and I are definitely good. He\u2019s my brother. I love him to death. But what I\u2019m saying is if he wants to drink breast milk, don\u2019t put it on me. Because would I do it? No, I wouldn\u2019t. I think it\u2019s dumb. [Laughs] Just like almost everyone else in the world besides Nikita. Yes, we\u2019re brothers, but we\u2019re also our own people and fighters on our own paths.\u201d<\/p>\n
Will Nikita be at the fight?<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019ll not only be at the fight, No Limit will probably have him on the panel. And I\u2019ll have my grandpa back with me for this one too. He\u2019s one of the real ones, my grandpa. And I\u2019ve never lost with him in my corner, either as an amateur or a professional. But the biggest thing about this fight, it\u2019s for me. There have been occasions previously when I\u2019ve been asked to fight on certain dates or whatever. But for this one, it\u2019s just about me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tim Tszyu ‘Rejuvenated & Refreshed’ | 01:35<\/p>\n
When first arriving into the United States nine weeks ago, were you feeling a little nervous?<\/p>\n
\u201cNervous? Worried? Confused? Absolutely. For the first time since I was eight years old, I\u2019ve had to go find myself a coach. And arriving in America, I remember thinking \u2018what am I supposed to do?\u2019. I wondered if I should give them a job interview? Or maybe take them for lunch? Then I had to think about the questions. For my entire fighting life, I\u2019d only been surrounded by two people and I fought. That was my sole focus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ever question if you were getting it right?<\/p>\n
\u201cEarly on in the trip, I asked myself if this was the right thing. Being away from my home, my life, you start asking if it\u2019s really what I need to do? Do I really want to spend $50,000 on a camp?\u201d<\/p>\n
Finding a new team cost $50K?<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that\u2019s me living basically. I realise boxing, it brings out the bright lights. But this camp has been about none of that s*** for me. While Miami might be known for extravagance, I\u2019m living basic, driving a KIA \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
How does it feel behind the wheel of a Kia given, before fighting Brian Mendoza, I remember you getting around the Gold Coast in a $350,000 red Ferrari convertible?<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, it feels f***ing great. [Laugh] And since getting back into Sydney last week I\u2019ve actually been looking at buying a Kia. Maybe this is how it will be now. Because I\u2019ve always been a low-key guy. And that\u2019s what I\u2019ve really liked about doing camp in Miami. Over there, I just blend in. Same as the first day with Pedro, we clicked. Straight away. I asked if he would train me and it\u2019s \u2018yes, champ\u2019. That was it, \u2018yes champ, of course\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anything else?<\/p>\n
\u201c[Laughs] Yeah, he told me to set my alarm for a 6am session the next day.\u201d<\/p>\n
“He wants to be World Champion again” | 03:50<\/p>\n
How has Coach Diaz improved things defensively?<\/p>\n
\u201cI know people have been critical of me, saying I\u2019m not defensively sound. But with Pedro it\u2019s been more about bringing my defensive intelligence back to the forefront. Because against, say, Tony Harrison? I didn\u2019t get hit. Same as Brian Mendoza didn\u2019t touch me. And these guys, they aren\u2019t B level fighters. But they couldn\u2019t touch me. I\u2019ll also say that because of the time I\u2019ve spent in Miami, defensively I can definitely see things much better again now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Any thoughts on next Wednesday\u2019s opponent, Velasquez?<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got absolutely nothing bad to say about the guy. I just know he\u2019ll be coming in to give the fight of his life.\u201d<\/p>\n
American boxing analyst Chris Algieri recently described your career as being on the edge of a cliff, with one more loss ensuring you fall off and disappear…<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, I\u2019m not worried about any of that. Because going through this camp it\u2019s made me realise I\u2019m not only a good fighter, I\u2019m f***ing great. And when they do put good fighters in front of me, I\u2019ll make them look average. When I\u2019m zoned, focused, able to think, it\u2019s going to be a whole different story.\u201d<\/p>\n
Is there a particular moment in camp that proved this?<\/p>\n
\u201cI was sparring one day against a Cuban national champion. A guy they call \u2018The Sniper\u2019. Anyway, we\u2019re there inside the ring and I just felt so good. I know things haven\u2019t gone to plan recently, but as the rounds between us went on, I remember thinking \u2018man, I know exactly who the f*** I am\u2019. On top of that, I\u2019ve also got a trainer watching on who has been with a heap of world champions. And he believes in me. In fact, the belief he has, it\u2019s something I\u2019ve never had before. And that now has me believing in myself. Because if this man who has coached over 20 world champions believes in me — and after six weeks \u2013 why wouldn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n
And as for what happens to Pedro\u2019s new plans when you get punched in the mouth next Wednesday?<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess we\u2019ll have to reveal all that on fight night. But again, I no longer feel like a bull. I\u2019m the matador.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It was Mike Tyson who once said everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":342393,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[571],"tags":[64,63,802,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-342392","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-boxing","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-boxing","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=342392"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342392\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/342393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=342392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=342392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=342392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765088290_713_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n