Vowing to deliver “poetry with my hands”, Tim Tszyu has swatted away scathing criticism of his esteemed new Cuban trainer Pedro Diaz.<\/p>\n
Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech claims Tszyu’s preparation for his make-or-break showdown with American Anthony Velazquez has been a shambles.<\/p>\n
After being drafted in as advisor to the now US-based Tszyu in a dramatic shake-up to the fallen former world champion’s entourage in October, Fenech even fears the 31-year-old might not have learned anything under Diaz.<\/p>\n
While Fenech insists he still loves Tszyu and will always support the ex-WBO super-welterweight king, the four-division world champion won’t attend Wednesday night’s bout in Sydney.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tszyu camp accused of sabotage as opponent arrives<\/a><\/p>\n The stage is set for Tim Tszyu’s make-or-break showdown against Anthony Velazquez, with the Australian superstar’s team accused of sabotage.<\/p>\n Tszyu maintains he will be in safe hands following Diaz’s arrival in Sydney from Miami on fight eve on Tuesday.<\/p>\n “You can see his energy and his knowledge,” Tszyu said of the trainer who boasts some 20 world champions on his CV.<\/p>\n “Like, even him walking out and being right there in the lane, it’s refreshing to see.<\/p>\n “He really cares about his fighters, and it’s like a family to me and him. It’s good. He’s always got your back no matter what.”<\/p>\n Claiming he was oblivious to any tension and drama swirling around him, Tszyu said he would catch up with Fenech after the fight.<\/p>\n “I’ve got tremendous respect for him and his family,” he said.<\/p>\n “He’s been a terrific figure for sure through all the noise that’s been going on. He’s been a supporter.”<\/p>\n Fenech’s own legendary former trainer, Johnny Lewis, reckons Tszyu should hang up the gloves if he suffers a fourth defeat in five fights, after enduring three world-title batterings at the hands of Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev in the space of 16 months.<\/p>\n Loading…<\/p>\n “Retiring at 31 years of age is a bit stupid,” Tszyu said after Tuesday’s weigh-in.<\/p>\n “No matter what, I’m an Aussie ’til I die. And I think with the Aussie mentality, no matter what, we don’t quit.”<\/p>\n Fighting at junior middleweight for the first time, Tszyu (25-3, 18KOs) said he felt much better hitting the scales at a heavier 70.82kg and sensed his unbeaten opponent was feeling nervous.<\/p>\n “He had this pulsating thing on his neck going,” Tszyu said after the pre-fight face-off.<\/p>\n “And it’s still pulsating, so it needs to calm that nerve down.”<\/p>\n “I’m glad he thinks that,” Velazquez (18-0-1, 15 KOs) said.<\/p>\n “He probably likes me. That’s kind of weird you’re looking at my neck.”<\/p>\n Not for the first time during a spicy build-up, Velazquez’s outspoken coach, Hector Bermudez, questioned the favourable treatment for Tszyu from the Australian’s promoters No Limit Boxing.<\/a><\/p>\n “Listen, he could have all the advantages, all the talks,” Bermudez said.<\/p>\n