Tim Tszyu\u2019s team has been slammed for not insisting on drug testing after this masthead broke the blockbuster fight week story that there was no testing at all for the biggest fight of the Aussie\u2019s career. <\/p>\n
The issue kicked off on Friday when Tszyu told Code Sports he hadn\u2019t thought about it. <\/p>\n
Multiple managers and trainers from boxing and MMA reached out to Code Sports to express their disbelief in the shocking oversight. <\/p>\n
There is no evidence either fighter has been doping, but every insider says after Spence\u2019s three-year layoff, it would have been the first thing they asked for in the contracts. <\/p>\n
No Limit boss George Rose said neither of the teams asked for drug testing, but stressed the promoter could still get it done if requested. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can make it happen today or tomorrow, but I would never question either of these athletes,\u201d he told Code. \u201cThey\u2019ve been nothing but class and professional and I would never assume either of them need that confirmation.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, if they want it, we can turn it around.\u201d <\/p>\n
Tszyu\u2019s new trainer, Jeff Fenech, said he wasn\u2019t concerned about the drug testing situation or the criticism from the experts. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure what happened when the fight was signed \u2013 I came in after that,\u201d Fenech told Code Sports. \u201cI\u2019m not too concerned whether he\u2019s on drugs or not. <\/p>\n
\u201cTim\u2019s gonna knock him out anyway. <\/p>\n
\u201cI totally respect Errol Spence and I don\u2019t think he would do that. We\u2019re gonna be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
WILSON\u2019S NEW WONDER WOMAN<\/p>\n
Meet the secret weapon who has stolen Liam Wilson\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n
Wilson was left heartbroken by his world-title eliminator against Stephen Fulton being called off just 24 hours before he was due to be the co-main event on the Tszyu-Spence card.<\/p>\n
But Wilson was comforted by his new partner Darya, a Kazakhstan beauty who has begun dating the boxing star in recent months.<\/p>\n
A keen chess player, Darya was arm in arm with Wilson at the weigh-in on Saturday, where \u2018Mr Damage\u2019 received a rousing reception from the crowd following the withdrawal of Fulton, who failed to make weight.<\/p>\n
Wilson is a father of two children from a previous relationship and is so smitten with his new flame he has even had a ring especially crafted for Darya.<\/p>\n
WHO\u2019S WHO IN THE TSZYU<\/p>\n
There will be no shortage of sporting celebrities ringside for Australia\u2019s biggest boxing event in a decade.<\/p>\n
AFL stars Charlie Curnow, Tom Papley and Toby Greene will be attending, while Tyrese Proctor, who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA, has accepted an invitation.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the NRL big guns will be out in force, led by South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell and Rabbitohs teammates Jack Wighton and Cody Walker.<\/p>\n
Papua New Guinea\u2019s marquee recruit Jarome Luai, the Tigers ace who will join the Eels next season, will be on deck, as will Viliame Kikau, Josh Addo-Carr and Souths CEO Blake Solly.<\/p>\n
There has even been speculation British star Idris Elba and Hollywood hunk Chris Hemsworth could make appearances. Both are in town shooting a Netflix film.<\/p>\n
NO COMMENTATOR\u2019S CURSE<\/p>\n
Aussie fans dodged a bullet with event organisers and broadcasters nearly flying the droning Mauro Ranallo to Australia to call the action.<\/p>\n
That would have left the voice of Australian boxing Ben Damon out in the cold.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, sanity prevailed and Damon \u2013 one of the best in the business globally \u2013 is on commentary duties alongside Paulie Malignaggi and Shawn Porter.<\/p>\n
NO PAIN, NO GAIN<\/p>\n
Danny Green is a one tough rooster. Australia\u2019s former world champion will headine Fox\u2019s coverage of the Tim Tszyu-Errol Spence blockbuster despite almost chopping off this thumb recently.<\/p>\n
Anthony Mundine\u2019s bitter arch-rival was cutting up some blocks of wood at his home when he went slightly off target and instead made contact with his thumb.<\/p>\n
Thankfully Green\u2019s thumb wasn\u2019t sliced clean off and he was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery to save his digit.<\/p>\n
As many of his opponents found out, Green was hard as nails and never took a backward step during his decorated career. Green was a smash hit with fans at the weigh-in on Saturday where at one point he was standing just a metre away from his long-time foe Mundine.<\/p>\n
The 53-year-old is still in incredible shape too, and joked he could step in and save the card after Stephen Fulton missed weight. <\/p>\n
\u201cPut me in, I\u2019m ready to go!\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
BOMBER VS READY!? <\/p>\n
Our very own Pete \u2018Bomber\u2019 Badel was nearly added to the undercard after his bust up with our stablemate Brent Read on NRL 360 on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
The pair went at each other in a fiery debate over the Broncos, with Read labelling Badel\u2019s analysis on Brisbane \u201cdisgraceful\u201d and calling him a mouthpiece for the club.<\/p>\n
Never one to back down \u2013 just ask Spencer Leniu and Gorden Tallis \u2013 Badel fired up as well, saying he \u201chas the balls\u201d to hold the Broncos accountable for more than two decades.<\/p>\n
We can confirm they spoke later on and mended any wounds, but that didn\u2019t stop a flurry of calls and messages about an apparent bust up.<\/p>\n
Bomber reckons he backs himself in a boxing match, but Ready once did roadwork with Manny Pacquiao, so the jury is out.<\/p>\n
We need to see them on an undercard soon! <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve already contacted No Limit and said to George Rose, \u2018Show us the money\u2019,\u201d Badel said. \u201cNot surprisingly, George hung up.\u201d<\/p>\n
GET THE CLIPPERS OUT <\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s new co-main event has an intriguing side bet, with the loser of the Ahmad Reda-Paul Fleming showdown having to shave off their mullet. <\/p>\n
No Limit boss George Rose said he is working on getting a pair of clippers and a barber\u2019s chair at Afterpay Arena. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the most interesting side bet I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d he said. \u201cThe whole Reda family are barbers. <\/p>\n
\u201cAhmad\u2019s older brother used to cut my hair! <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll turn up with the clippers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe might as well chuck the barber\u2019s chair in the centre of the ring.\u201d<\/p>\n
PAULIE PULLS NO PUNCHES<\/p>\n
One of world boxing\u2019s best analysts, American straight-shooter Paulie Malignaggi, has revealed how close he came to a stunning appearance on the Tszyu-Spence card.<\/p>\n
The former world champion is now 45 years old, but he put his hand up to fight Australian super welterweight Koen Mazoudier when American superstar Jermall Charlo was denied a visa.<\/p>\n
Malignaggi is in Sydney to commentate for Fox Sports, but had talks with No Limit about sensationally hopping off the expert panel and jumping straight in the ring with Mazoudier.<\/p>\n
Despite Mazoudier being 15 years younger, Malignaggi, who won 36 of 44 pro fights and claimed world titles in two weight divisions, believes he would have been competitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still competing, I think I could have won the first six rounds,\u201d said Malignaggi, who still dabbles in bare-knuckle boxing.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut my fitness may have been an issue at the back end of the fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it would have been a closer contest than some people would think.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tim Tszyu\u2019s team has been slammed for not insisting on drug testing after this masthead broke the 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