Elvis Rodriguez beats up and then stopped Juan Velasco in the seventh round Saturday in Minneapolis.
Elvis lives!
Junior welterweight prospect Elvis Rodriguez put Juan Velasco down three times in the seventh round and stopped him that round on the Tim Tszyu-Terrell Gausha card Saturday in Minneapolis.
It was the Domincan’s second consecutive victory since he was upset by Kenneth Sims in May of last year.
Rodriguez (13-1-1, 12 KOs) used the first round to feel out Velasco (23-3, 14 KOs) and then unloaded on his Argentine opponent, cutting him and breaking him down with an efficient attack.
Velasco was damaged by the end of Round 6. Then, in Round 7, he collapsed. Rodriguez put him down with a right, sent him down a second time under a barrage of punches and then did the same near the end of the round.
Velcasco, hurt badly and with no hope of winning, staying down for the 10 count. He has now been stopped by Regis Prograis, Mario Barrios and Rodriguez.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:49 of Round 7.
Rodriguez landed a remarkable 63 percent of his power shots, according to CompuBox. He outlanded Velasco in overall punches 122-41, which indicates how dominating Rodriguez was.
He was asked afterward who he would like to fight next.
“I’m ready for anybody at 140,” he said, “be it Gervonta Davis or Rolly Romero. I’m ready and prepared.”
Elvis Rodriguez beats up and then stopped Juan Velasco in the seventh round Saturday in Minneapolis.
Elvis lives!
Junior welterweight prospect Elvis Rodriguez put Juan Velasco down three times in the seventh round and stopped him that round on the Tim Tszyu-Terrell Gausha card Saturday in Minneapolis.
It was the Domincan’s second consecutive victory since he was upset by Kenneth Sims in May of last year.
Rodriguez (13-1-1, 12 KOs) used the first round to feel out Velasco (23-3, 14 KOs) and then unloaded on his Argentine opponent, cutting him and breaking him down with an efficient attack.
Velasco was damaged by the end of Round 6. Then, in Round 7, he collapsed. Rodriguez put him down with a right, sent him down a second time under a barrage of punches and then did the same near the end of the round.
Velcasco, hurt badly and with no hope of winning, staying down for the 10 count. He has now been stopped by Regis Prograis, Mario Barrios and Rodriguez.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:49 of Round 7.
Rodriguez landed a remarkable 63 percent of his power shots, according to CompuBox. He outlanded Velasco in overall punches 122-41, which indicates how dominating Rodriguez was.
He was asked afterward who he would like to fight next.
“I’m ready for anybody at 140,” he said, “be it Gervonta Davis or Rolly Romero. I’m ready and prepared.”
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.
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 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.”
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.”
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)
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.
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 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)
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.
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 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 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.”
