Australian boxing superstar Tim Tszyu has revealed his eagerness to share a Las Vegas fight week with Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC champion he describes as “an absolute beast”.
Only days after defending his WBO super welterweight title, Tszyu has backed Volkanovski to upset UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi this Sunday.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, the Soul Taker praised Volkanovski’s decision to take the fight on 11 days notice and revealed his desire for the pair to eventually compete together in the world’s fight capital – and as soon as the first third of 2024.
UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 | SUN 22nd OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
Short notice rematch a godsend for Volk | 01:34
After retaining his world title with a brutal decision win over American Brian Mendoza on Sunday, Tszyu is now turning his attention to a Las Vegas superfight early in 2024 – with Jermell Charlo, Errol Spence Jnr and Terence Crawford all on his hitlist.
Should Volkanovski also now go and win his own title blockbuster this weekend, Australia’s UFC featherweight champ will also look to defend his new lightweight strap first, and potentially at UFC 300.
That timing means the pair could potentially fight in the States within weeks, or even days, of one another in what would be a huge first for Australian combat sports.
While Tszyu is rising up to become the new Pay-Per-View king of Australian boxing, Volkanovski is doing the same for Mixed Martial Arts, boasting an Instagram following of two million.
Volk reveals how Islam rematch was setup | 03:20
A win in Abu Dhabi will also see the Wollongong father of three join a list of only four fighters who have held two UFC titles simultaneously – Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo and Amanda Nunes.
“Alexander Volkanovski is an absolute beast,” Tszyu said.
“And what he’s doing this weekend, it’s amazing.
“I love it.
“Going up a weight class to fight the champion on 11 days notice, it just proves what a warrior ‘Volk’ is.”
Tszyu suggested that if Volkanovski wins this Sunday, he would be keen for the pair to then take on Las Vegas championship blockbusters on consecutive weekends.
“I’m backing Volk to win, of course,” he started
“And defending my title, then seeing him become a two-division champ, that’s an incredible week for Australian sport.
“And I’d definitely love to see us both headlining in Las Vegas within a week of each other one day.”
Volk steps in on 11 days for Islam fight | 02:21
Volkanosvki is a huge supporter of his fellow Aussie fighters, and even sent a congratulatory text to undefeated super bantamweight Sam Goodman, who defeated Mexico’s Miguel Flores in the Tszyu co-main.
As revealed by Fox Sports Australia last week, Goodman used to be a boy ball for Albion Park in Group 7, and worked several of the club’s first grade grand finals – including a Warilla Gorillas outfit who, back then, featured a 97kg Volkanovski at prop.
Asked about the old Gorilla No.10 being parachuted into a world title fight, and up a weight class, on 11 days notice, Goodman said it proved him “an absolute savage”.
“And how can you not love that,” he said.
“Here is Volk, once again, taking on the guy who everyone sees as the bogeyman.
“A fighter who a lot of people think he should’ve got the nod against that first time around.
“It just proves he’s an absolute savage and I just really hope he pulls this off.”
‘I can’t afford to show him respect’ | 01:24
While Goodman is the No.1 contender for both the IBF and WBO titles – and will almost certainly fight for a world title early next year — he first wants to headline a Wollongong show in December.
“I’m really excited about going home and taking a big show to Wollongong, we’ve got some great fighters,” Goodman said.
“We’ve got me, we’ve got Volk next week repping Wollongong … we’re a big fighting town.”
Goodman vs Flores: Full Fight Highlights | 07:45
Despite the short notice of his fight, and being as wide as $3 with bookmakers, Volkanovski has promised to knock Makhachev out cold in Abu Dhabi.
“It’s going to be an exciting one,” the UFC featherweight champ said.
“Obviously, I want to go out there and hurt him.
“We’ll try to make sure it doesn’t go five rounds.
“I want to finish it early.
“I don’t want to test his gas tank.
“Don’t get me wrong, I think I can do it, but let’s not try and test it. Let’s just finish it nice and early.
“With how excited I am, how refreshed I am — both mentally and physically — I’m going to be a dangerous man in there.
“I plan on knocking him out.”