Tim Tszyu hasn’t come to the United States for a visit. As he put it, “I’m here to really take over.”
The son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu and top junior middleweight contender faces 2012 Olympian Terrell Gausha on Saturday night at The Armory in Minneapolis (Showtime), his U.S. debut.
A victory could lead directly to his first opportunity to fight for a major world title.
“This is a buzz for me. I’m super excited,” Tszyu said Thursday at the final news conference before the fight. “We’ve done great things in Australia and sold out arenas in one day. But I needed to come over to America because this is what I’ve always watched throughout my life growing up. To finally experience it is incredible. This is what I live for.
“I’m taking it one step at a time, but I’m here to really take over. I believe in what I can do. That’s what’s in my heart and in my destiny.”
Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) has become a sensation in his native Australia because of his name and a string of dominating performances, including knockouts of countrymen Jeff Horn and Dennis Hogan and a near-shutout decision over Takeshi Inoue in his most-recent fight.
Now it’s time show what he can do at the next level.
“Gausha has the credentials,” Tszyu said. “He’s fought the best in the division. Having to fight someone like that gives me the chance to prove to everyone who I really am. Terrell’s name popped up before my last fight and we happily accepted straight away.
“At this level, there’s no such thing as easy fights. You have to fight anyone and everyone.”
Tszyu is ranked No. 1 by the WBO. That sanctioning body’s beltholder is Brian Castano, who is scheduled to fight Jermell Charlo for the undisputed 154-pound championship on May 14.
If Tszyu wins on Saturday, he’ll be at the head of the line to fight the winner or for the vacant title if the winner moves up in weight or gives up the belt for another reason.
That’s why Tszyu is here, to become a world champion. He knows he has to do it on foreign soil. And that’s OK with him.
“Everything feels different about this situation but the work is the same and the ring is the same,” he said. “I’m here to show everything in the ring. Actions speak louder than words.”
Meanwhile, the fight is pivotal for Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs) too. At 34, he might not get many more chances to face a hot opponent on a big stage.
He knows a victory would be a significant step toward realizing his own dreams of winning a major world title.
“This fight can cement my spot in line for that world title,” Gausha said. “Tszyu has a lot of backing behind him, he’s young and he’s got a great record. That’s exactly what I want to be up against.
“I feel like I’m just a different kind of opponent than anything he’s ever faced. I’ve trained for a live guy who’s bringing the pressure. But we’ll see how it works out for him on Saturday.”
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