Tag: Terrell Gausha

Tim Tszyu vs. Terrell Gausha: date, time, how to watch, background

Tim Tszyu vs. Terrell Gausha: date, time, how to watch, background.

FIGHT WEEK

Junior middleweight contender Tim Tszyu is set to make his U.S. debut against Terrell Gausha on Saturday in Minneapolis.

Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) vs. Terrell Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, March 26
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: The Armory, Minneapolis
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Tszyu 7½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Michel Rivera vs. Joseph Adorno, lightweights; Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Jose Velasco, junior welterweight
  • Prediction: Tszyu UD
  • Background: Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, will be making his U.S. debut against Gausha. The fierce, talented Australian has created a stir in his native country and climbed the junior middleweight rankings with resounding victories over the likes of former champion Jeff Horn, Dennis Hogan and, most recently, Takeshi Inoue. The next step – coming to America – was essential to fulfill his destiny. The 27-year-old native of Sydney is ranked No. 1 by the WBO (Brian Castano is the titleholder) and No. 3 by the WBC and IBF (Jermell Charlo). Castano and Charlo are scheduled to fight May 14. If Tszyu gets past Gausha, it’s conceivable he could face the winner of the May fight for the undisputed championship in the fall or winter. Gausha is a legitimate test for Tszyu. The 2012 U.S. Olympian is a talented, well-schooled boxer who has fallen short in his biggest fights. He lost a wide decision to then-titleholder Erislandy Lara in 2017, drew with Austin Trout in 2019 and lost a unanimous decision to Erickson Lubin in September 2020. He’s 2-2-1 in his last five fights, including a second-round knockout victory over capable Jamontay Clark in his only fight since the setback against Lubin. That victory gives Gausha some momentum going into his meeting with Tszyu.

Tim Tszyu vs. Terrell Gausha: date, time, how to watch, background

Tim Tszyu vs. Terrell Gausha: date, time, how to watch, background.

FIGHT WEEK

Junior middleweight contender Tim Tszyu is set to make his U.S. debut against Terrell Gausha on Saturday in Minneapolis.

Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) vs. Terrell Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, March 26
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: The Armory, Minneapolis
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Tszyu 7½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Michel Rivera vs. Joseph Adorno, lightweights; Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Jose Velasco, junior welterweight
  • Prediction: Tszyu UD
  • Background: Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, will be making his U.S. debut against Gausha. The fierce, talented Australian has created a stir in his native country and climbed the junior middleweight rankings with resounding victories over the likes of former champion Jeff Horn, Dennis Hogan and, most recently, Takeshi Inoue. The next step – coming to America – was essential to fulfill his destiny. The 27-year-old native of Sydney is ranked No. 1 by the WBO (Brian Castano is the titleholder) and No. 3 by the WBC and IBF (Jermell Charlo). Castano and Charlo are scheduled to fight May 14. If Tszyu gets past Gausha, it’s conceivable he could face the winner of the May fight for the undisputed championship in the fall or winter. Gausha is a legitimate test for Tszyu. The 2012 U.S. Olympian is a talented, well-schooled boxer who has fallen short in his biggest fights. He lost a wide decision to then-titleholder Erislandy Lara in 2017, drew with Austin Trout in 2019 and lost a unanimous decision to Erickson Lubin in September 2020. He’s 2-2-1 in his last five fights, including a second-round knockout victory over capable Jamontay Clark in his only fight since the setback against Lubin. That victory gives Gausha some momentum going into his meeting with Tszyu.

Tim Tszyu, Terrell Gausha know what’s at stake Saturday night

Tim Tszyu and Terrell Gausha know what’s at stake Saturday night in Minneapolis.

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.”

[lawrence-related id=28912,28904,28840]

Tim Tszyu, Terrell Gausha know what’s at stake Saturday night

Tim Tszyu and Terrell Gausha know what’s at stake Saturday night in Minneapolis.

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.”

[lawrence-related id=28912,28904,28840]

Fight Week: Tim Tszyu to make U.S. debut against Terrell Gausha, Miguel Berchelt to return

Fight Week: Tim Tszyu is set to make his U.S. debut against Terrell Gausha, and Miguel Berchelt will return to the ring on a busy Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

Tim Tszyu is set to make his U.S. debut against Terrell Gausha and Miguel Berchelt makes his return on a busy Saturday.

Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) vs. Terrell Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, March 26
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: The Armory, Minneapolis
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Tszyu 7½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Michel Rivera vs. Joseph Adorno, lightweights; Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Jose Velasco, junior welterweight
  • Prediction: Tszyu UD
  • Background: Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, will be making his U.S. debut against Gausha. The fierce, talented Australian has created a stir in his native country and climbed the junior middleweight rankings with resounding victories over the likes of former champion Jeff Horn, Dennis Hogan and, most recently, Takeshi Inoue. The next step – coming to America – was essential to fulfill his destiny. The 27-year-old native of Sydney is ranked No. 1 by the WBO (Brian Castano is the titleholder) and No. 3 by the WBC and IBF (Jermell Charlo). Castano and Charlo are scheduled to fight May 14. If Tszyu gets past Gausha, it’s conceivable he could face the winner of the May fight for the undisputed championship in the fall or winter. Gausha is a legitimate test for Tszyu. The 2012 U.S. Olympian is a talented, well-schooled boxer who has fallen short in his biggest fights. He lost a wide decision to then-titleholder Erislandy Lara in 2017, drew with Austin Trout in 2019 and lost a unanimous decision to Erickson Lubin in September 2020. He’s 2-2-1 in his last five fights, including a second-round knockout victory over capable Jamontay Clark in his only fight since the setback against Lubin. That victory gives Gausha some momentum going into his meeting with Tszyu.

 

Miguel Berchelt (38-2, 34 KOs) vs. Jeremiah Nakathila (22-2, 18 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, March 26
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Resorts World Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Lightweight (135 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Jose Enrique Vivas vs. Enrique Baez, featherweights
  • Prediction: Berchelt KO 7
  • Background: The fighters have a combined 52 knockouts in their 60 victories, which means this matchup of sluggers isn’t likely to go the distance. Berchelt suffered a devastating loss to Oscar Valdez in February of last year, a one-sided fight in which he went down three times and was stopped in the 10th round. That cost him his 130-pound title, put an end to the considerable momentum he had built the past several years and raised questions about his limitations. The 30-year-old Mexican had stopped 16 of his previous 17 opponents, including Francisco Vargas (twice), Takashi Miura, Jonathan Victor Barros, Miguel Roman and Jason Sosa. Nakathila had his own momentum-crushing setback in June of last year, when he was outclassed and shut out over 12 rounds by the gifted Shakur Stevenson in his U.S. debut. The 32-year-old Namibian bounced back to stop Ndodana Ncube of Zimbabwe in two rounds four months later in his home country. Nakathila probably matches up better against a slugger like Berchelt than he did against the slick, athletic Stevenson.

 

Kiko Martinez (43-10-2, 30 KOs) vs. Josh Warrington (30-1-1, 7 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, March 26
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET / noon PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: Martinez’s IBC title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Warrington 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Maxi Hughes vs. Ryan Walsh, lightweights; Maria Cecilia Roman vs. Ebanie Bridges, bantamweights (for Roman’s IBF title); Dalton Smith vs. Roy Moylette, junior welterweights
  • Prediction: Warrington SD
  • Background: This bout is a rematch of the fighters’ May 2017 encounter, which Warrington won by a majority decision. Martinez, 36, shot down the notion that he is in decline by knocking out Kid Galahad in six rounds to win a major title in a second division this past November in Sheffield, England. The scrappy, hard-punching Spaniard had lost a wide decision to Zelfa Barrett only two fights earlier, raising questions about his future as an elite fighter. Warrington obviously is well connected. He went down twice and was stopped by relative unknown Mauricio Lara in the ninth round in February of last year. In the rematch, seven months later, he had to settle for a technical draw after Lara was cut badly by an accidental head butt. And he hasn’t won a fight in 2½ years. Still, he was given a shot at Martinez’s title. Warrington had been untouchable for several years before his ill-fated series with Lara, defeating Martinez, Lee Selby (to win a major title), Carl Frampton and Galahad, among others.

Also fighting this week:

THURSDAY, MARCH 24

  • Salvador Tapia (12-3-1, 10 KOs) of Mexico will face countryman Emiliano Cruz (13-3, 12 KOs) junior welterweights in an eight-round junior welterweight fight in Tepic, Mexico (UFC Fight Pass).

SATURDAY, MARCH 26

  • Andranik Grigoryan (14-0, 3 KOs) of Armenia will take on fellow featherweight prospect Otabek Kholmatov (9-0, 9 KOs) of Uzbekistan in 10-round bout in Orlando, Florida (Bally’s Sports Net).

Fight Week: Tim Tszyu to make U.S. debut against Terrell Gausha, Miguel Berchelt to return

Fight Week: Tim Tszyu is set to make his U.S. debut against Terrell Gausha, and Miguel Berchelt will return to the ring on a busy Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

Tim Tszyu is set to make his U.S. debut against Terrell Gausha and Miguel Berchelt makes his return on a busy Saturday.

Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) vs. Terrell Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, March 26
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: The Armory, Minneapolis
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Tszyu 7½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Michel Rivera vs. Joseph Adorno, lightweights; Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Jose Velasco, junior welterweight
  • Prediction: Tszyu UD
  • Background: Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, will be making his U.S. debut against Gausha. The fierce, talented Australian has created a stir in his native country and climbed the junior middleweight rankings with resounding victories over the likes of former champion Jeff Horn, Dennis Hogan and, most recently, Takeshi Inoue. The next step – coming to America – was essential to fulfill his destiny. The 27-year-old native of Sydney is ranked No. 1 by the WBO (Brian Castano is the titleholder) and No. 3 by the WBC and IBF (Jermell Charlo). Castano and Charlo are scheduled to fight May 14. If Tszyu gets past Gausha, it’s conceivable he could face the winner of the May fight for the undisputed championship in the fall or winter. Gausha is a legitimate test for Tszyu. The 2012 U.S. Olympian is a talented, well-schooled boxer who has fallen short in his biggest fights. He lost a wide decision to then-titleholder Erislandy Lara in 2017, drew with Austin Trout in 2019 and lost a unanimous decision to Erickson Lubin in September 2020. He’s 2-2-1 in his last five fights, including a second-round knockout victory over capable Jamontay Clark in his only fight since the setback against Lubin. That victory gives Gausha some momentum going into his meeting with Tszyu.

 

Miguel Berchelt (38-2, 34 KOs) vs. Jeremiah Nakathila (22-2, 18 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, March 26
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Resorts World Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Lightweight (135 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Jose Enrique Vivas vs. Enrique Baez, featherweights
  • Prediction: Berchelt KO 7
  • Background: The fighters have a combined 52 knockouts in their 60 victories, which means this matchup of sluggers isn’t likely to go the distance. Berchelt suffered a devastating loss to Oscar Valdez in February of last year, a one-sided fight in which he went down three times and was stopped in the 10th round. That cost him his 130-pound title, put an end to the considerable momentum he had built the past several years and raised questions about his limitations. The 30-year-old Mexican had stopped 16 of his previous 17 opponents, including Francisco Vargas (twice), Takashi Miura, Jonathan Victor Barros, Miguel Roman and Jason Sosa. Nakathila had his own momentum-crushing setback in June of last year, when he was outclassed and shut out over 12 rounds by the gifted Shakur Stevenson in his U.S. debut. The 32-year-old Namibian bounced back to stop Ndodana Ncube of Zimbabwe in two rounds four months later in his home country. Nakathila probably matches up better against a slugger like Berchelt than he did against the slick, athletic Stevenson.

 

Kiko Martinez (43-10-2, 30 KOs) vs. Josh Warrington (30-1-1, 7 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, March 26
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET / noon PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
  • Rounds: 12
  • At stake: Martinez’s IBC title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Warrington 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Maxi Hughes vs. Ryan Walsh, lightweights; Maria Cecilia Roman vs. Ebanie Bridges, bantamweights (for Roman’s IBF title); Dalton Smith vs. Roy Moylette, junior welterweights
  • Prediction: Warrington SD
  • Background: This bout is a rematch of the fighters’ May 2017 encounter, which Warrington won by a majority decision. Martinez, 36, shot down the notion that he is in decline by knocking out Kid Galahad in six rounds to win a major title in a second division this past November in Sheffield, England. The scrappy, hard-punching Spaniard had lost a wide decision to Zelfa Barrett only two fights earlier, raising questions about his future as an elite fighter. Warrington obviously is well connected. He went down twice and was stopped by relative unknown Mauricio Lara in the ninth round in February of last year. In the rematch, seven months later, he had to settle for a technical draw after Lara was cut badly by an accidental head butt. And he hasn’t won a fight in 2½ years. Still, he was given a shot at Martinez’s title. Warrington had been untouchable for several years before his ill-fated series with Lara, defeating Martinez, Lee Selby (to win a major title), Carl Frampton and Galahad, among others.

Also fighting this week:

THURSDAY, MARCH 24

  • Salvador Tapia (12-3-1, 10 KOs) of Mexico will face countryman Emiliano Cruz (13-3, 12 KOs) junior welterweights in an eight-round junior welterweight fight in Tepic, Mexico (UFC Fight Pass).

SATURDAY, MARCH 26

  • Andranik Grigoryan (14-0, 3 KOs) of Armenia will take on fellow featherweight prospect Otabek Kholmatov (9-0, 9 KOs) of Uzbekistan in 10-round bout in Orlando, Florida (Bally’s Sports Net).

Terrell Gausha convinced his perseverance will pay off

Terrell Gausha is convinced his perseverance will pay off in the form of a world championship.

Terrell Gausha offers no excuses for his setbacks against then-154-pound titleholder Erislandy Lara and Erickson Lubin, the only two losses of his career. He ended up on the wrong end of unanimous decisions in both fights, in 2017 and 2020.

“They were just the better man that night,” he told Boxing Junkie.

The 2012 U.S. Olympian wants you to know something else, though: He’s a better fighter as a result of his disappointments, which he believes will be obvious when he faces talented Australian Tim Tszyu in a 12-round junior middleweight bout March 26 in Minneapolis (Showtime).

He pointed to his second-round knockout of capable Jamontay Clark in his only fight since the Lubin loss as indication of what he can do.

“I’m an Olympian,” he said, “and the confidence of Olympians doesn’t waver. It is what it is. Of course, we all want to go undefeated. I just was never scared to lose my ‘0.’ I wanted to fight the best. That’s what I do. I feel I’m a way better fighter than I was before. … Jamontay Clark was a solid opponent. And I stopped him in spectacular fashion.

“They say you’re only as good as your last fight. That was my last fight.”

Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs) will have fought four elite fighters – Lara, Austin Trout (draw), Lubin and Tszyu – in a span of only six fights, which underscores his desire to “fight the best.”

The question is how many more big fights can the 34-year-old, 10-year veteran from Cleveland expect to get if he doesn’t have his hand raised on March 26? Could the fight with Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) be his last chance on a big stage?

Gausha refuses to label this as a must-win fight. Every assignment, he said, is must-win.

At the same time, he acknowledges the importance of the matchup. If he wins, he will be in a strong position to challenge for a world title a second time.

He doesn’t want to be known as the guy who came up short in big fights. He’d rather people see him as a fighter who never gave up on himself and ultimately realized his dream of becoming a world champion.

“I had a lot of goals when I got into boxing,” he said. “The Olympics, a world championship. I didn’t do that but it’s still something out there for me to do. I want to be the best in the division. I have to go out and prove myself. Some guys win championships at a younger age, 22 or 25. Some guys win theirs when they’re older. As long as you win it is all that matters.

“… This is just how it played out for me. Everybody’s destiny is different. Like I said, I’ll probably be the person other fighters look at as a guy who kept persevering.”

Terrell Gausha convinced his perseverance will pay off

Terrell Gausha is convinced his perseverance will pay off in the form of a world championship.

Terrell Gausha offers no excuses for his setbacks against then-154-pound titleholder Erislandy Lara and Erickson Lubin, the only two losses of his career. He ended up on the wrong end of unanimous decisions in both fights, in 2017 and 2020.

“They were just the better man that night,” he told Boxing Junkie.

The 2012 U.S. Olympian wants you to know something else, though: He’s a better fighter as a result of his disappointments, which he believes will be obvious when he faces talented Australian Tim Tszyu in a 12-round junior middleweight bout March 26 in Minneapolis (Showtime).

He pointed to his second-round knockout of capable Jamontay Clark in his only fight since the Lubin loss as indication of what he can do.

“I’m an Olympian,” he said, “and the confidence of Olympians doesn’t waver. It is what it is. Of course, we all want to go undefeated. I just was never scared to lose my ‘0.’ I wanted to fight the best. That’s what I do. I feel I’m a way better fighter than I was before. … Jamontay Clark was a solid opponent. And I stopped him in spectacular fashion.

“They say you’re only as good as your last fight. That was my last fight.”

Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs) will have fought four elite fighters – Lara, Austin Trout (draw), Lubin and Tszyu – in a span of only six fights, which underscores his desire to “fight the best.”

The question is how many more big fights can the 34-year-old, 10-year veteran from Cleveland expect to get if he doesn’t have his hand raised on March 26? Could the fight with Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) be his last chance on a big stage?

Gausha refuses to label this as a must-win fight. Every assignment, he said, is must-win.

At the same time, he acknowledges the importance of the matchup. If he wins, he will be in a strong position to challenge for a world title a second time.

He doesn’t want to be known as the guy who came up short in big fights. He’d rather people see him as a fighter who never gave up on himself and ultimately realized his dream of becoming a world champion.

“I had a lot of goals when I got into boxing,” he said. “The Olympics, a world championship. I didn’t do that but it’s still something out there for me to do. I want to be the best in the division. I have to go out and prove myself. Some guys win championships at a younger age, 22 or 25. Some guys win theirs when they’re older. As long as you win it is all that matters.

“… This is just how it played out for me. Everybody’s destiny is different. Like I said, I’ll probably be the person other fighters look at as a guy who kept persevering.”

Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas, Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano II highlight Showtime/PBC schedule

Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas and Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano II highlight the Showtime/PBC spring and summer schedule.

Showtime and Premier Boxing Champions announced its spring and summer schedule today.

It features nine events spread over five months, including two title-unification main events and 21 undefeated fighters.

Here are the nine cards:

Tim Tszyu vs. Terrell Gausha
Date: March 26 / Minneapolis
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, will be making his U.S. debut against the 2012 U.S Olympian in a battle of junior middleweight contenders. Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) is on the cusp of becoming a star. Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs), who has fallen short in his biggest fights, is in a do-or-die situation.
Also fighting: Michel Rivera vs. Joseph Adorno, lightweights; Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Jose Velasco, junior welterweight (142 pounds).

Erickson Lubin vs. Sebastian Fundora
Date / location: April 9 / Las Vegas
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Lubin (24-1, 17 KOs) has surged back to prominence by winning six in a row since he was stopped by Jermell Charlo in 2017. Fundora (18-0-1, 12 KOs), a 6-foot-6 154-pounder who loves to fight inside, faces his biggest test in this fight. The winner should fight for a title next.
Also fighting: Tony Harrison vs. Sergio Garcia, junior middleweights; Kevin Salgado vs. Bryant Perrella, junior middleweights.

Errol Spence Jr. vs. Yordenis Ugas
Date / location: April 16 / Arlington, Texas
At stake: Spence’s IBF and WBC, and Ugas’ WBA titles
Background: This matchup with unify three of the four major 147-pound titles. Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) bounced back from his car accident to outpoint Danny Garcia in December 2020 only to then suffer a detached retina. He says he’s 100% now. Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) retired Manny Pacquiao by decision last August.
Also fighting: Radzhab Butaev vs. Eimantas Stanionis, welterweights; Brandun Lee vs. Zachary Ochoa, junior welterweights.

Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano II
Date / location: May 14 / Los Angeles
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s IBF, WBA and WBC, and Castano’s WBO titles
Background: Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) and Castano (17-0-2, 12 KOs) will be attending to unfinished business after fighting to a spirited draw this past July in San Antonio. Most observers see this as a 50-50 fight between arguably the two best 154-pounders, which is appropriate because it’s for the undisputed championship.
Also fighting: Jaron Ennis vs. Custio Clayton, welterweights.

David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux
Date / location: May 21 / Phoenix
Division: Super middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs), a two-time titleholder, will be a significant favorite in this battle between two of the biggest punchers pound-for-pound in the sport. They have a combined 58 knockouts in 68 victories. Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) will be fighting to remain an elite fighter.
Also fighting: Yoelvis Gomez vs. Jorge Cota, junior middleweight.

Gervonta Davis vs. Rolando Romero
Date / location: May 28 / Brooklyn, New York
Division: Lightweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) was supposed to have fought Romero (14-0, 12 KOs) last December but was pulled from the card amid sexual assault allegations, for which he ultimately wasn’t charged. Davis survived a scare in a close decision over Romero’s replacement Isaac Cruz. Romero KO’d Anthony Yigit in July.

Stephen Fulton Jr. vs. Danny Roman
Date / location:
Division: Junior lightweight
At stake: Fulton’s WBC and WBO titles
Background: This is a matchup of two outstanding technicians. Fulton (20-0, 8 KOs) eked out a majority decision over brawler Brandon Figueroa in November. Roman (29-3-1, 10 KOs) bounced back from a disputed split-decision loss to titleholder Murodjon Akhmadalive by outpointing Juan Carlos Payano and Ricardo Espinoza Franco.
Also fighting: David Morrell vs. Kalvin Henderson, super middleweights.

Jermall Charlo vs. Maciej Sulecki
Date / location: June 18 / Houston
Division: Middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s WBC title
Background: Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) was in talks to face Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia but neither fight materialized, leaving him with Sulecki (30-2, 11 KOs). Charlo is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Juan Macias Montiel in June. Sulecki, a Pole, has won twice since he was shutout by Demetrius Andrade in 2019.

Mark Magsayo vs. Rey Vargas
Date / location: July 9 / San Antonio
Division: Featherweight
At stake: Magsayo’s WBC title
Background: Magsayo (24-0, 16 KOs) won his belt by defeating long-reigning champion Gary Russell Jr. by a majority decision in January. Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs) is a former junior featherweight titleholder who will be fighting for his first 126-pound title.

Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas, Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano II highlight Showtime/PBC schedule

Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas and Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano II highlight the Showtime/PBC spring and summer schedule.

Showtime and Premier Boxing Champions announced its spring and summer schedule today.

It features nine events spread over five months, including two title-unification main events and 21 undefeated fighters.

Here are the nine cards:

Tim Tszyu vs. Terrell Gausha
Date: March 26 / Minneapolis
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, will be making his U.S. debut against the 2012 U.S Olympian in a battle of junior middleweight contenders. Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) is on the cusp of becoming a star. Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs), who has fallen short in his biggest fights, is in a do-or-die situation.
Also fighting: Michel Rivera vs. Joseph Adorno, lightweights; Elvis Rodriguez vs. Juan Jose Velasco, junior welterweight (142 pounds).

Erickson Lubin vs. Sebastian Fundora
Date / location: April 9 / Las Vegas
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Lubin (24-1, 17 KOs) has surged back to prominence by winning six in a row since he was stopped by Jermell Charlo in 2017. Fundora (18-0-1, 12 KOs), a 6-foot-6 154-pounder who loves to fight inside, faces his biggest test in this fight. The winner should fight for a title next.
Also fighting: Tony Harrison vs. Sergio Garcia, junior middleweights; Kevin Salgado vs. Bryant Perrella, junior middleweights.

Errol Spence Jr. vs. Yordenis Ugas
Date / location: April 16 / Arlington, Texas
At stake: Spence’s IBF and WBC, and Ugas’ WBA titles
Background: This matchup with unify three of the four major 147-pound titles. Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) bounced back from his car accident to outpoint Danny Garcia in December 2020 only to then suffer a detached retina. He says he’s 100% now. Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) retired Manny Pacquiao by decision last August.
Also fighting: Radzhab Butaev vs. Eimantas Stanionis, welterweights; Brandun Lee vs. Zachary Ochoa, junior welterweights.

Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano II
Date / location: May 14 / Los Angeles
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s IBF, WBA and WBC, and Castano’s WBO titles
Background: Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) and Castano (17-0-2, 12 KOs) will be attending to unfinished business after fighting to a spirited draw this past July in San Antonio. Most observers see this as a 50-50 fight between arguably the two best 154-pounders, which is appropriate because it’s for the undisputed championship.
Also fighting: Jaron Ennis vs. Custio Clayton, welterweights.

David Benavidez vs. David Lemieux
Date / location: May 21 / Phoenix
Division: Super middleweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs), a two-time titleholder, will be a significant favorite in this battle between two of the biggest punchers pound-for-pound in the sport. They have a combined 58 knockouts in 68 victories. Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) will be fighting to remain an elite fighter.
Also fighting: Yoelvis Gomez vs. Jorge Cota, junior middleweight.

Gervonta Davis vs. Rolando Romero
Date / location: May 28 / Brooklyn, New York
Division: Lightweight
At stake: No major titles
Background: Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) was supposed to have fought Romero (14-0, 12 KOs) last December but was pulled from the card amid sexual assault allegations, for which he ultimately wasn’t charged. Davis survived a scare in a close decision over Romero’s replacement Isaac Cruz. Romero KO’d Anthony Yigit in July.

Stephen Fulton Jr. vs. Danny Roman
Date / location:
Division: Junior lightweight
At stake: Fulton’s WBC and WBO titles
Background: This is a matchup of two outstanding technicians. Fulton (20-0, 8 KOs) eked out a majority decision over brawler Brandon Figueroa in November. Roman (29-3-1, 10 KOs) bounced back from a disputed split-decision loss to titleholder Murodjon Akhmadalive by outpointing Juan Carlos Payano and Ricardo Espinoza Franco.
Also fighting: David Morrell vs. Kalvin Henderson, super middleweights.

Jermall Charlo vs. Maciej Sulecki
Date / location: June 18 / Houston
Division: Middleweight
At stake: Charlo’s WBC title
Background: Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) was in talks to face Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia but neither fight materialized, leaving him with Sulecki (30-2, 11 KOs). Charlo is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Juan Macias Montiel in June. Sulecki, a Pole, has won twice since he was shutout by Demetrius Andrade in 2019.

Mark Magsayo vs. Rey Vargas
Date / location: July 9 / San Antonio
Division: Featherweight
At stake: Magsayo’s WBC title
Background: Magsayo (24-0, 16 KOs) won his belt by defeating long-reigning champion Gary Russell Jr. by a majority decision in January. Vargas (35-0, 22 KOs) is a former junior featherweight titleholder who will be fighting for his first 126-pound title.