Australian boxing star Tim Tszyu has defiantly brushed off stinging criticism from legend Jeff Fenech regarding his new trainer, vowing to deliver "poetry with my hands" in his crucial Sydney showdown.
Fenech's Scathing Assessment of Camp Shake-Up
The build-up to Tim Tszyu's pivotal junior middleweight fight against American Anthony Velazquez has been dominated by drama within the Australian's camp. Fenech, a four-division world champion who was drafted in as an advisor during a dramatic October shake-up, has publicly labelled Tszyu's preparation a "shambles".
Fenech fears the 31-year-old former WBO super-welterweight champion may not have learned anything under new Cuban trainer Pedro Diaz, and has opted not to attend Wednesday night's bout at Sydney's TikTok Arena. Despite the criticism, Fenech insists he still loves and supports Tszyu.
Tszyu's Unwavering Faith in Diaz
Tszyu, who will fight at junior middleweight for the first time, remains steadfast in his support for Diaz, who flew into Sydney from Miami just a day before the fight. The trainer boasts an impressive resume featuring around 20 world champions.
"You can see his energy and his knowledge," Tszyu said. "Like even him walking out and being right there in the lane, it's refreshing to see. He really cares about his fighters and it's like a family to me and him. He's always got your back no matter what."
Claiming to be oblivious to the surrounding tension, Tszyu said he plans to catch up with Fenech after the fight, expressing "tremendous respect" for the legend and calling him a "terrific figure" and a supporter through the noise.
Retirement Talk and Opponent Mind Games
The fight carries immense weight for Tszyu's career. His own former trainer, the legendary Johnny Lewis, suggested Tszyu should consider retirement if he suffers a fourth defeat in five fights. This comes after three punishing world-title losses to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev within 16 months.
Tszyu dismissed the idea, stating, "Retiring at 31 years of age is a bit stupid. No matter what, I'm an Aussie 'til I die. And I think with the Aussie mentality, no matter what, we don't quit."
Weighing in at a heavier 70.82kg, Tszyu (25-3, 18KOs) said he felt better and claimed to sense nerves in his unbeaten opponent, Anthony Velazquez (18-0-1, 15 KOs). "He had this pulsating thing on his neck going," Tszyu observed after their tense face-off.
Velazquez retorted, "I'm glad he thinks that. He probably likes me. That's kind of weird you're looking at my neck."
The spicy build-up also saw Velazquez's outspoken coach, Hector Bermudez, question the favourable treatment he believes Tszyu has received from promoters No Limit Boxing. Bermudez cited issues with travel arrangements, medicals, and a last-minute switch in the agreed weight from 154 to 157 pounds.
"We'll agree to everything they wanted to," Bermudez said. "We're here to fight. We're here to win and we're here to knock this dude out."
All eyes will now be on the TikTok Arena to see if Tim Tszyu can silence his critics and resurrect his career with a decisive victory.
