Jermell Charlo may not be in the other corner on Sunday afternoon.
But in Tony Harrison, Tim Tszyu takes on a former world champion who is the only man to have ever defeated the ‘undisputed’ champion in Charlo.
And speaking at this week’s final press conference before the blockbuster fight, Tszyu said that “28 years of hard work” had all come down to “this moment”.
It is a big risk for Tszyu, who could have simply taken extra time off to prepare for the eventual showdown with Charlo. But Tszyu has always preferred to stay active.
Instead, Tszyu will put his perfect 21-0 record — and his unified world title dreams — on the line, with the winner to take home the interim WBO super welterweight title and fight Charlo for all the belts.
As for Harrison, he is looking forward to the chance to spoil Tszyu’s world title dream while proving his own doubters wrong.
Watch undefeated Aussie superstar Tim Tszyu return to the ring for his biggest fight yet versus USA’s former world champion Tony Harrison for an Interim WBO Super Welterweight title LIVE Sunday March 12. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >
Tszyu and Harrison both make weight! | 03:01
“I know exactly how this fight is going to play out… he’s going to do one thing… but for me, expect the unexpected,” Harrison warned earlier this week.
“I’m balls to the wall, just like he is. It’s going to be a great fight.”
Nikita Tszyu, who is fighting Bo Belbin earlier in the main card, said this is a “big resume” fight for his brother Tim.
“He’s getting that big name on his resume,” Nikita said.
“The world will finally recognise him as a top-rated fighter. There’s been a lot of talk that he’s got it easy, that he’s walked it up (to the top) easily … he finally gets his chance on Sunday.”
While all eyes will be on Tim on Sunday there are plenty of other Australian fighters who get their chance too, with Paulo Aokuso taking on Yunieski Gonzalez for the vacant IBO Intercontinental light heavyweight title.
ULTIMATE GUIDE: What time will it start, full undercard and what bookies are saying
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Gonzalez though was a no-show at this week’s press conference, but that only afforded Aokuso a chance to have the final say before Sunday’s fight.
l“I have the skills, I have the belief in myself to come out victorious,” he said.
Sam Goodman, meanwhile, puts his undefeated record on the line in the biggest test of his career against TJ Doheny.
Another rising star in the Australian boxing scene, Issac Hardman, will also feature on the main card. He will fight Rohan Murdock for thevacant IBF Australasian super middleweight title.
HOW TO WATCH
The event will be broadcast in Australia live and exclusive on Main Event via Foxtel and Kayo from 12pm AEDT Sunday. You can order the fight on Foxtel (at mainevent.com.au) or Kayo and no subscription is required for the latter.
The prelims will be aired live and exclusive on Fox Sports and Kayo from 10am AEDT.
Watch undefeated Aussie superstar Tim Tszyu return to the ring for his biggest fight yet versus USA’s former world champion Tony Harrison for an Interim WBO Super Welterweight title LIVE Sunday March 12. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >
You can also watch the fight at any of the venues around the country showing Main Event or attend the event at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena (tickets available here).
WHAT TIME DOES IT START AND WHEN WILL THE MAIN EVENT HAPPEN?
The five-fight main card (below) begins at midday AEDT, with prelims from 10am. How those fights play out will determine when Tszyu and Harrison take the ring but it’s expected to be around 3pm AEDT.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Tim Tszyu
Hometown/nationality: Sydney, Australia
Age: 28
Wins: 20
Losses: 0
Draws: 0
KOs: 15
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 175cm
Reach: 179cm
Tony Harrison
Hometown/nationality: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Age: 32
Wins: 28
Losses: 3
Draws: 0
KOs: 21
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 185cm
Reach: 194cm
FULL CARD
Main card (from midday AEDT)
Tim Tszyu vs. Tony Harrison — 12 rounds, super welterweight – interim WBO super welterweight title
Paulo Aokuso vs. Yunieski Gonzalez — 10 rounds, light heavyweight – vacant IBO Intercontinental light heavyweight title
Sam Goodman vs. TJ Doheny — 10 rounds, super bantamweight – WBO ‘Oriental’ super bantamweight title
Issac Hardman vs. Rohan Murdock — 10 rounds, super middleweight – vacant IBF Australasian super middleweight title
Nikita Tszyu vs. Bo Belbin — 6 rounds, super welterweight
Prelims (from 10am)
Koen Mazoudier vs. Ben Mahoney — 10 rounds, super welterweight – WBA Oceania super welterweight title
Shanell Dargan vs. Courtney Martin — 4 rounds, featherweight
Imam Khataev vs. Gi Sung Gwak — 8 rounds, light heavyweight
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