After enduring one of the most bizarre build ups in Australian boxing history, an undefeated Tim Tszyu finally faces Carlos Ocampo for the interim WBO super welterweight title on the Gold Coast this Sunday.

At stake, a unification bout with American megastar Jermell Charlo.

Here, we look at the six biggest storylines on a blockbuster championship card that also sees fellow Aussie Sam Goodman fighting an IBF title eliminator, a national title going on the line and plenty more …

Watch undefeated Australian superstar Tim Tszyu put his title on the line against Mexican warrior Carlos Ocampo LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo Sports. No kayo subscription needed. Sunday 18 June 6PM AEST. ORDER NOW >

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Could Carlos Ocampo really ruin one of the greatest stories in Australian sport?

While little has been written about Mexico’s best super welterweight this week, you should know Carlos Ocampo owns a strong chin, endless toughness and a crowding style big on body shots. Or put another way, a Mexican warrior in every sense.

Despite having a clear height and reach advantage over Tszyu, the fighter with 15 more professional appearances will almost certainly prefer to come forward, throw to the body and look for war.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Ocampo even promised to fight like famed countryman Julio Cesar Chavez did against Hector Commacho in their own hyped slobberknocker 31 years ago. To which Tszyu says what?

“Look, the guy is tough but a prime Chavez? Against Commacho? C’mon man, humble yourself a little bit,” the Aussie laughed.

“You can’t compare yourself to one of the greatest of all time at their peak.”

It’s also important to note that despite his toughness, Ocampo does have weaknesses defensively and Team Tszyu are sure to have found ways to exploit those.

However, Ocampo has only ever been stopped once, by Errol Spence Jnr, and after having wasted down to welterweight, where he has never fought again.

What impact will that dog attack have on Tim Tszyu?

The scar inside Tim Tszyu’s right elbow remains unmistakeable. But as for what impact that now famed dog bite will have on the undefeated Australian’s limb, hand, even punch? Who knows?

Despite undergoing emergency surgery on a gaping wound so serious it required 26 stitches just three weeks ago, Tszyu insists there are no lingering issues with his movement or punching power. Same as when asked about Ocampo targeting the wound he shrugged: “What is there to target? There’s nothing to target. He would be stupid if he tries that”.

Younger brother Nikita Tszyu has also revealed how after the dog bite occurred, Tim continued with training like nothing had happened.

“His focus has been incredible,” the younger Tszyu told us this week.

Despite all this, there is still no doubting the injury has had to have impacted Tszyu’s preparations. Yet while many fighters would lean heavily into the storyline, the 28-year-old has gone the other way and continually played it down, which says plenty about his character.

How good are $350,000 Ferraris?

As part of his Gold Coast preparations, Tszyu has been driving around town for weeks in a bright red California T Convertible Ferrari worth $350,000. Himself an avid car enthusiast who owns a 1955 Corvette, the boxer has also been loaned a schmick Mercedes-Benz G Wagon to get to and from training sessions with his team.

Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings said on Saturday that the fighter will also be loaned a “surprise” third car for his short ride to Sunday’s championship showdown against Mexican Carlos Ocampo.

Asked after weighing in Saturday how he would spend the last 24 hours of fight week, Tszyu replied: “I have a Ferrari here, so I’m not complaining about that. All the team will grab a feed, I will play some poker, have a drive around in the Ferrari and enjoy the Gold Coast”.

Tszyu looked in outstanding shape when he jumped on the scales for Saturday’s promotional weigh in, staged inside the Pacific Fair shopping centre shortly before noon. The champ weighed 69.5kg while Ocampo was 69.74kg.

Asked about the Ferrari, Jennings said the cars had been loaned by a close friend of the team who owns luxury car hire business, Halo.

“So Tim has been able to drive around town, top down … it’s been a nice distraction for him”.

Is Tszyu ready for Jermell Charlo?

You could argue this question was answered in March against American Tony Harrison, with Tszyu showing a range of improvements, not to mention patience and punch variety, on his way to brutally finishing the only man to ever beat Charlo. Yet while Tszyu undeniably proved himself world class, he now gets to show another side to his style against a world class warrior.

Ocampo won’t try to jab and move like Harrison did. Instead, he will keep coming forward like some extra in a zombie flick, looking to kill.

Of course, if Tszyu wins as expected, all attention immediately shifts to his hyped unification bout against undisputed division king Charlo.

Already, the WBO has imposed a September 30 deadline for that fight to take place, although it’s understood the sanctioning body would allow for some wiggle room given how much is at stake with all four belts on the line.

There’s no doubting that since their initial January showdown was canned because of a Charlo injury, Tszyu has made significant improvements to what is already one of the division’s most pressuring styles.

But Charlo brings power to a fight, and Tszyu is set to show Sunday how ready he is for that.

Who is ‘The Beast’ looking to end Aussie favourite Sam Goodman?

Six years ago, The Beast moved to Las Vegas with an undefeated record of 10 fights but little more.

“Didn’t know anyone,” recounts American super bantamweight Ra’eese Aleem.

“And my career, it was at a standstill. I hadn’t fought in two years. Was coaching myself. So I packed up and headed from Michigan to Las Vegas with no family, no friends, no coach, didn’t even have a phone number … it was just me wanting to be somebody.”

Which again is what brings him Down Under now, and into the ring with rising Australian star Sam Goodman. Apart from having improved his undefeated run to 20 fights, Aleem is challenging Goodman in an IBF world title eliminator.

The continuation of a story that started with him fighting at karate tournaments from age four, earning a black belt by 12 and then switching to boxing where his first tournament was the Junior Olympics.

“And I won that,” he says.

Elsewhere, we can tell you the now 32-year-old is one of 18 siblings whose father, Prince, encouraged all of his children to pursue activities like singing, guitar, football and athletics. And as for The Beast nickname?

“Came about years ago in the amateurs,” he says.

“I would be sparring different guys and people would say, ‘Oh, he’s a beast’ … and it just stuck. But even as a kid in karate, I was the highest ranking student. I would win all the tournaments, all the katas, dismiss the whole class … young kids, teenagers, even adults.”

So as for Goodman?

“Looks like a real good fighter,” he says.

“Has a high boxing IQ, fast hands, great jab and bounces on his feet a lot … it’s going to be a tough fight and one that’s well deserved for both of us. But this isn’t the first time I’ve gone and faced an undefeated fighter in his hometown. I’m completely different to anyone he has ever stepped in the ring with.”

Who steals the undercard?

The battle for the Australian super lightweight title between champ Justin Frost and Sydney’s Hassan Hamdan is a pick ‘em bout in every sense. Expect fireworks too between featherweights Rocky Ogden and Mark Schleibs, who together have become surprising fight week stars after almost coming to blows at the open workouts, and then doubling down during a weigh-in staredown where they went head-to-head.

Special mention also to Hasely Hepi – the heavily inked Gold Coaster who weighs 130kg, worships Viking Gods and has bravely battled back from some “mental demons” to revive his heavyweight career.

At 32, ‘Haze the Huntsman’ knows he only has limited time left and is determined to make the most of his first ever performance on a No Limit card this weekend.