Jeff Fenech says Tim Tszyu is now generating the same type of punch power that made his Hall of Fame father, stressing: “People always talk about Kostya’s power … I’m telling you his son has it too”.
The bold statement comes as Tszyu has also revealed how a series of changes made to his style under Fenech have him punching harder and “feeling like I never have before in my career — ever”.
Speaking with Fighting Words this week, both Tszyu and Fenech have opened up on the overhaul taking place as the countdown continues to The Phoenix’s July showdown with American superstar Errol Spence Jnr.
Paro v Crocker | Wednesday June 24 from 7pm AEST | Liam Paro gets his long awaited title shot against IBF welterweight champion, Lewis Crocker. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
After moving on from longtime coach Igor Goloubev last year, Tszyu then partnered up with famed Cuban coach Pedro Diaz — however subsequent decision wins over Anthony Velazquez and Denis Nurja had critics suggesting the former world champ had lost his punching power.
Yet in what has now been only two months with Fenech, Tszyu has undergone a range of subtle changes that now has the ‘Marrickville Mauler’ comparing his punch power to that once exuded by ‘The Thunder From Down Under’.
“People always talk about Kostya’s power,” Fenech said. “Well, I’m telling you his son has it too.
“Over the past couple of months we’ve been working really hard on some things around timing, around Tim using his body weight, and while it’s still a work in progress – because, brother, nothing happens overnight — I can tell you that his punches … s***, you’ll see.
“Because over the years I’ve always heard people say ‘Oh, Tim doesn’t punch like his dad’. But I’ve sparred hundreds, thousands of rounds with Kostya, and I can tell you Tim hits as hard as anyone I’ve worked with.
“Honestly, holding the pads for him right now, he’s hitting real f***ing hard. And people can say whatever they like, call me crazy … you’re going to see it in his next fight.”
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Incredibly, it has still been only two months since Tszyu made the shock announcement that he was splitting with Diaz to join up with the man considered arguably Australia’s greatest fighter ever.
The switch was Tszyu’s second in six months, having also split with longtime mentor Goloubev following his third straight world title loss against Sebastian Fundora.
Yet after opening preparations for Spence with three weeks in Thailand, Tszyu agrees he is now punching harder than ever before in his career.
“And Jeff has always told me I have the power,” he said. “And that I just needed to learn a little more about positioning, little technical adjustments.
“And I do feel like I’m punching hard now. Like, yesterday in sparring, man, I really f***ing felt it. Felt so explosive.”
‘I wanted to go to Australia’ | 02:05
KOSTYA OUT OF SON’S CORNER
While Tim Tszyu may be replicating his father’s famed power in sparring, the Hall of Famer won’t be in his corner for the headliner against Spence in Sydney next month. When initially announcing the fight, Tszyu had said he hoped to have the old man in his corner on fight night, alongside both Fenech and Hall of Fame trainer Johnny Lewis.
“But we won’t be able to make it happen for this one,” Tszyu said this week, before heaping further praise on the changes taking place under Fenech.
“The work I’ve been doing with Jeff, the camp in Thailand, it’s all been so f***ing awesome. He has brought an environment into my life that I haven’t felt before. It’s so refreshing. And it’s because Jeff understands not only what to do inside the ring, but outside it. And how I’m feeling, I haven’t felt like this ever before – ever.”
Tszyu v Spence Jr. | Sunday July 26 from 11am AEST | Tim Tszyu takes on the biggest name in his career so far – future hall-of-famer Errol Spence Jr, in a can’t miss event for boxing fans around the world. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
HOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR A CHANCE TO JOIN TEAM BURGESS
Hollywood megastar Chris Hemsworth could make a surprise appearance at Sam Burgess’s hyped professional heavyweight debut, with the pair having recently spent plenty of time together on the set of American crime thriller, Kockroach.
The revelation comes as Burgess has also opened up on future plans with a win over Nelson Asofa-Solomona next Wednesday night, hinting he could even go into camp with English heavyweight king, Tyson Fury.
Speaking with Fighting Words this week, Burgess was giving little away when quizzed on whispers suggesting Hemsworth could be ringside at Pat Rafter Arena, but confirmed it a possibility.
“There might be a few surprises on fight night,” the South Sydney premiership hero grinned. “We’ll see. You know what schedules are like, they can change at the drop of a hat … but hopefully everyone can make it.”
Apart from working on the Kockroach set with Burgess in Sydney recently, the famed Thor actor is also a huge fight fan who was ringside for Conor McGregor’s 2017 showdown with Floyd Mayweather, and UFC 234 in Melbourne – where he sat front row with fellow Hollywood star Matt Damon.
During his early years in Hollywood, Hemsworth also worked out extensively with longtime Australian trainer Justin Fortune, who is himself famous for being in the corner of Manny Pacquiao.
BURGESS’S PLANS FOR FURY CAMP
Still on Burgess, and the English Test great has opened up on potentially going into camp with countryman Tyson Fury, who is also close with one of the retired leaguie’s own mates, New Zealand heavyweight star Joseph Parker.
A fight fan since childhood, Burgess says he was raised on the careers of stars like Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson and, more recently, The Gypsy King.
And as for similarities between the two?
“My wife and I have been watching his Netflix series and she is always saying to me ‘you’re so similar to this guy’,” Burgess laughed. “He’s a northern guy, has a gypsy background and is a real family man.
“Obviously as a fighter, he’s great to watch. But he’s also a born entertainer.
“Guys like Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali too, they weren’t only amazing inside the ring but had that charisma outside of it that ensured they always drew crowds. And I’m hoping to bring a bit of that to No Limit.”
Quizzed on potentially spending some time with Fury, Burgess continued: “I actually Facetimed Joseph Parker – who I’m good friends with — when he was in fight camp with Fury.
“And that would definitely be a cool thing to do if I get a few more fights in. Go jump into a camp with him, that would be an incredible experience.”
JDM TEAMS UP WITH ‘BLESSED’
Former Aussie UFC champ Jack Della Maddalena has joined forces with Max Holloway as the Hawaiian superstar ramps up preparations for his blockbuster rematch against Conor McGregor.
Della, who is coming off a brutal loss to Carlos Prates in Perth, has shown up unexpectedly training with the former BMF.
“Learning from the blessed one,” he posted to social media alongside photos of the pair sparring.
Holloway and McGregor originally fought back in 2013, when a young McGregor claimed a unanimous decision victory over the Hawaiian.
In less than a month, the pair will run it back on one of the biggest cards of the year.
“HE KNOWS TOO”: THE HUGE PRIZE DRIVING PARO TITLE BID
Australia’s Liam Paro has declared himself ready to take on some of the biggest names in the sport once he claims the IBF welterweight crown from fighting Irishman Lewis Crocker next Wednesday night.
Should Paro win in Brisbane, he immediately goes into contention for a series of unification blockbusters against other division champions like Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia and Rolly Romero.
“The welterweight division is back to being the glamour division,” Paro told us this week. “Along with the champions you’ve also got guys like Manny Pacquiao, Conor Benn, it really is massive.
“And while I don’t look past any fight, I know what lies ahead. Know what’s coming in terms of money, legacy, all of it. It’s huge.
“And Crocker knows that too. It’s why this fight will be such a cracker.
Liam Paro excited to “make history” | 27:35
“So obviously you can’t count your chickens too early. Especially against an undefeated guy who doesn’t know how to lose. But for me, it’s crazy what is coming and that’s exactly why I have to get it done.”
Elsewhere, Crocker has stressed he has absolutely no issue with defending his IBF welterweight title in Australia, thanks to No Limit winning the purse bid over Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn.
“When Paro became mandatory, I knew there was a chance it was going to be Australia,” Crocker said this week. “It is what it is.
“And Australia, as a kid, you would think it’s a dream, stuff like this. Being a world champion and fighting abroad, fighting in Australia … it’s great.
“I [also] made more money out of it at the end of the day. Australia paid the most money, so as a prizefighter, how could I be upset at that?”
CHARLO’S AUSSIE WARNING
American Jermall Charlo has warned his countrymen are set to blast through Australia on the blockbuster Sydney card headlined by Tim Tszyu versus Errol Spence, declaring: “These guys ain’t seen nothing like this”.
Charlo, who is undefeated, will start a heavy favourite against Koen Mazoudier in the No Limit co-main, while fellow American Stephen Fulton faces two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson.
Elsewhere, Australian prospect Callum Peters also takes on Michigan middleweight Joseph Hicks, however Charlo is tipping a tough time for the local boys.
“These guys ain’t seen nothing like this,” he warned. “It’s the USA versus Australia and Jermall Charlo is coming to take over. Lock in with and watch me put on a show. Koen Mazoudier is going to be looking to make a name off me, but he underestimates how hungry I am.”
‘CALL IT A DAY’: CHAMP’S SAVAGE TSZYU-SPENCE WARNING
Unified super welterweight champ Xander Zayas has delivered a brutal assessment of the showdown between Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence Jr.
The Puerto Rican star, who puts his WBA and WBO world titles on the line against fellow unbeaten sensation Jaron “Boots” Ennis in Brooklyn next weekend, admitted he can’t split the pair.
“I don’t know,” Zayas told the Last Stand Podcast when asked for his prediction.
“We have to see what Errol Spence is going to show up.
“Tim Tszyu has been a little bit more active, but it’s not impressive.
“I feel like the loser should call it a career, call it a day.
“But I wouldn’t be able to pick a winner.”
While Zayas remains on the fence, one man who is backing “The Truth” massively is his good mate Shakur Stevenson.
“I think he’s gonna do good,” Stevenson told Andre Ward on All The Smoke Fight.
“I wish Errol the best. I hope Errol goes in there and beats Tim Tszyu up.
“I’m an Errol Spence fan. I was cool with Errol Spence before that Crawford fight a long time ago. I want Errol Spence to prosper.”
“I don’t think Tim Tszyu can beat Errol,” Stevenson continued.
“I know Errol. He’s mentally tough. He’s a dog when it comes to fighting.
“I don’t think Tim Tszyu can beat him.”
UFC CHAMP: MY BODY DOES CRAZY THINGS
American Justin Gaethje has given an intriguing insight into his upset UFC lightweight title win against Ilia Topuria on the White House lawn, declaring: “My body does crazy things”.
Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Gaethje was asked to explain his shock stoppage of Topuria as a $6 outsider.
“One word describes it all, and it’s ‘timing,’” Gaethje said. “The more you watch the sport, the more you can maybe grasp the concept of that – [not only] creating angles, but sending direct lines of energy in straight lines through their body and through their face.
“When you see my face, and it’s not messed up, you’re like, ‘something’s wrong with the skin’. It’s really not that.
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“If you watch frame by frame, I am constantly dissipating the energy that he’s trying to send in straight lines, and they’re all coming off and glancing off of my body. That’s the timing that I have.
“I said it in earlier interviews, my A to B is unmatched, and when I can lock in and be cerebral, and I’m in danger, my body does crazy things. I’m able to be so technical and intuitive and cerebral with my actions. It’s happening so fast. We’re like computers processing codes. You’re constantly making adjustments.
“I was able to reset his feet every one to two seconds. I was very diligent about it, and I fought a perfect fight. And he was completely caught off guard. He was not expecting it.
“That, obviously, is another part of this whole game, the expectations. I’ve said it many times, I don’t go in with expectations, that way I can never be surprised. That’s just the way I compete. He took the opposite approach. I said it before on your show, when we go to 2, when we go to 3, you’re going to be in hell, and that’s where he was.”
OPETAIA MEETS TRUMP
Australia’s Jai Opetaia has stressed his bid to become undisputed cruiserweight king remains unchanged after a crazy week in which he met up with US President Donald Trump on the White House lawn.
Opetaia was among a handful of superstar boxers invited to attend UFC Freedom 250, sitting cageside along with the likes of Tyson Fury, Terence Crawford and Conor Benn. During the event, the popular Central Coast product also got the opportunity to pose up for a picture with Trump.
Speaking during a Zuffa Boxing Q&A session in Washington, D.C., Opetaia expressed enthusiasm about a potential showdown with David Benavidez, who instead seems to be angling for a showdown with WBC champion Noel Mikaelian.
“I’ve been chasing these unification fights for such a long time now, so to get one over the line would be awesome,” Opetaia said. “I’m just waiting. That fight [Benavidez] is easy to make on our side, so I don’t know what the holdup is on theirs.”