Tim Tszyu has endured a rough stretch.
The 154-pound contender was set to challenge undisputed champion Jermell Charlo in the biggest fight of his life on Jan. 28 but Charlo pulled out after breaking his hand in training.
And only a few weeks ago a dog sunk its teeth into his right forearm, causing an injury that required surgery to repair and jeopardized the upcoming fight.
Fret not, however. Tszyu has been cleared to go through with his fight against Carlos Ocampo on Saturday in Broadbeach, Australia (Showtime). And, most important to him, he’s convinced that the Charlo fight will take place in the fall.
“It wasn’t that disappointing,” Tszyu told Boxing Junkie when he was asked about news of Charlo’s injury. “I knew the fight was still going to happen, it was still on the horizon. I don’t let stuff like that get to me.”
He let the dog bite get to him, at least initially.
The son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu was at a barbecue at the home of a friend when he was attacked by the dog. Immediately afterward his mind went directly to the fight with Ocampo because he didn’t know the extent of the damage.
However, doctors cleaned up and repaired the wound. And they said he would be taking no risks by resuming his training and fighting Ocampo.
“It was so close to the fight,” Tszyu said. “My first thought was, ‘This isn’t good.’ As soon as the operation was done I was less worried. I had surgery because of the risk of infection. They cleaned it all up, pieced it all back together. There was a bit of fat hanging out but [the bite] was away from the muscle, luckily.
“… The first few days [of training] it was stiff but I was good to go. I was punching with full intent right away. It was no problem.”
Tszyu (22-0, 16 KOs) said motivation also is no problem even though he’s coming off the biggest victory of his career and expects to tangle with Charlo next.
This past March he scored a ninth-round knockout over former titleholder Tony Harrison, who replaced Charlo as Tszyu’s opponent after Charlo pulled out. Tszyu was still waiting for his big fight but he proved in that fight that he could take down one of the best in the division.
Ocampo (35-2, 23 KOs) isn’t as accomplished as Harrison or Charlo – he has lost to Errol Spence Jr. and Sebastian Fundora – but Tszyu knows the Mexican can’t be overlooked, especially with the Charlo fight coming soon.
“I’m quite hungry,” Tszyu said. “I’m not satisfied or happy [with what I’ve accomplished]. There is a lot more to go. … I’m just chasing what I can be, what I could possibly be. I got a big goal in my mind. Until that happens, I’m not going to be content or satisfied.”
What’s that goal?
“To beat the man,” he said, “to beat Charlo. I have to beat Charlo to be the man.”
[lawrence-related id=37727,36151,36143,36109,36101]