‘There’s been a lot of blood… not mine’: Inside Tszyu’s crazy sparring sessions — Fighting Words

This is Fox Sports Australia’s combat sports column Fighting Words, where we give you all the latest news and views in MMA and boxing, from Australia and abroad.

Tim Tszyu says Errol Spence Jnr has made a huge mistake by demanding Sunday’s blockbuster be upped to middleweight, saying of his new bulked up sparring sessions: “There’s been a lot of blood … and none of it mine”.

Only a day after having his power likened to Hall of Fame father Kostya, Tszyu has also revealed to Fighting Words that he is now punching far harder than ever before as he prepares for Spence – and as part of his new push to become a two-division world champion at 160 pounds.

While American superstar Spence has spent most of his famed career fighting six kilos lighter at welterweight, he went and created global headlines last week after demanding an extra two pounds be added to the initial catchweight of 158 pounds.

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.

Immediately however, ‘The Phoenix’ agreed, with recent sparring sessions part of his reason for making the decision so quickly.

While Tszyu refused, understandably, to detail exactly how sparring has gone, this column understands at least one sparring partner, who drove from interstate for the opportunity, lasted only a handful of rounds before being split open and sent home.

Another was also urged to adopt a nosebar headgear to avoid further damage.

Elsewhere, a clip from Tszyu’s first weeks of camp in Thailand, where he battered an unidentified sparring partner, also went viral on FightHype under the headline ‘Leaked Tszyu sparring — brutal shots knock headgear loose’.

While Sunday’s blockbuster with Spence was initially slated for super welterweight, and then a catchweight of 158 pounds, the American has in the past fortnight demanded another late increase.

Yet while Spence believes the move will advantage his return after three years away, it may have simply played into the hands of Tszyu – who this week revealed he is making a permanent shift up from the super welterweight division after 10 years and WBO gold.

Indeed, should Tszyu upset Spence this Sunday, there is already talk of a shot at WBA middleweight champ Erislandy Lara.

Asked this week about Fenech’s claims that he is now hitting as hard as the old man, Tszyu said: “Because of the weight I drop [to make super welterweight], I haven’t been able to carry the power.

“But now this time around? There is a real difference.

“Jeff has brought in a lot of different sparring partners this camp, which has been great.

“And while I don’t really like talking about sparring, I will say the best thing is that I haven’t been getting hit. There’s been a lot of blood … and none of it mine”.

Elsewhere, Tszyu also heaped praise on his chief sparring partner for this camp, rising Brisbane southpaw Andrew Hunt. “Andrew has got that dog in him, man,” Tszyu said. “The guy is a great fighter. Possesses a style that presents a real lot of problems, too. I’m blessed to have him.”

TSZYU REFUSES $10K WAGER

It has now been four years since Errol Spence Jnr lost $10,000 gambling on Tim Tszyu.

So what chance the Aussie now calls him out too?

Understanding that when you’re looking for the spark that ignited this ongoing feud between Spence and Tszyu, it’s hard to go past the American betting big – and publicly – on Tony Harrison in 2024.

But as for Tszyu offering up a wager of his own this week?

“No, I can’t, man,” the Aussie laughed. “I’m not a gambler. Plus, I’ve promised my wife that I will never gamble, so I have to keep that.”

Reckon he would take it if you did though?

“Yeah, probably,” Tszyu shrugged. “That’s just the arrogance of him. I know he thinks this is a warm up fight. Same as I know he sees me as a tune up fight, 100 per cent.

“And look, Spence has fought a lot of good guys. So in his mind, he thinks he’s well above me. And I’m definitely OK being the underdog.”

READ MORE

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FULTON DITCHES FASHION FOCUS

Stephen Fulton has spent millions building one of boxing’s most eye-catching wardrobes, worn custom fight outfits worth as much as $40,000 and even won a world title wearing Timberlands and jorts.

But when the American star walks out against Australia’s Liam Wilson this weekend, don’t expect another designer showstopper.

Instead, ‘Cool Boy Steph’ says the only thing he wants fans talking about afterwards is what he does with his fists.

Speaking with this column ahead of Sunday’s world title eliminator on the Tim Tszyu-Errol Spence Jnr undercard in Sydney, Fulton revealed he has deliberately toned things down.

“I’ve got nothing planned,” he said. “I intend to steal the show with my performance. That’s the only thing I’m focused on this time around – not how I look.”

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.

While the former world champ has become known for his fashion sense outside the ring, he’s quick to point out there’s something else that defines him too.

A product of Philadelphia’s famed fighting scene, Fulton trains out of the same gym as world champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

And ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Wilson, he explained exactly what it means to call himself a Philadelphia fighter.

“It means we don’t care where you’re from or what you have to offer,” he said. “When it’s time to get down, it’s time to get down.”

ZERAFA’S SURPRISE PICK

Michael Zerafa says he’ll be cheering for Tim Tszyu when the Aussie throws down with Errol Spence Jnr this weekend, despite the pair’s long-running differences.

The Melbourne middleweight has shared a heated rivalry with the Tszyu family in recent years, including his controversial no contest against younger brother Nikita Tszyu earlier this year.

But with Tim preparing for the biggest fight of his comeback against the Big Fish, Zerafa says he’ll put the differences aside.

“I’m in Tim’s corner,” he told us ahead of his scheduled return to the ring against Venezuelan Alejandro Ortiz next month. “When we’re not fighting each other, I’m with any Aussie, not just them.

“Despite our differences, me and Nikita get on a bit better than me and Tim, but I’m in Tim’s corner. This is Aussie versus America. I’m an Aussie, so I’m definitely in his corner.”

When asked about Spence wanting to fight at middleweight, Zerafa said that it didn’t raise any major red flags.

“I’d say that he’s been eating too much,” Zerafa mused. “But no, it doesn’t really alarm me. It’s got nothing to do with me.”

FENECH RECEIVES PRAISE FROM AUSSIE TITLE CONTENDER

Australian cruiserweight contender Floyd Masson has heaped praise on Tim Tszyu’s decision to partner up with Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech, convinced it could prove to be the biggest, and smartest, move of his career.

A longtime favourite on the Australian scene, Masson is right now bunkered down in camp and readying for his IBF cruiserweight eliminator against New Zealand’s David Nyika on August 8 in Auckland.

Speaking with Fighting Words this week, both he and Nyika revealed they are backing Tszyu to score a boilover in Sydney’s blockbuster against American superstar Errol Spence Jnr.

“I’m backing Tim all the way,” Masson started, before suggesting the move to Fenech could prove the smartest choice of his entire fight history.

“Because at this stage of his career,” the Queenslander continued, “Tim isn’t going to change his whole style.

“But what he does need is someone he trusts with his life.

“Someone who can motivate him, and someone he’ll listen to when the pressure is on. Jeff Fenech is the perfect fit for that. He’ll give Tim that extra spark when he needs it most.”

SPENCE’S MOTIVE QUESTIONED: “WHAT ARE YOU DOING IT FOR?”

David Nyika, meanwhile, suggests Tszyu’s victory will come off the back of being the hungrier fighter – especially after hearing Spence say he no longer craves another run at world titles.

“This feels like one of those fights where it’s make or break for either guy,” Nyika told us. “And for me, Tim has a lot more to prove. His hunger will be greater. I also think Tim has everything it takes to beat Spence. Given no one really knows what Errol has been doing over the last little while, Tim’s activity will pay dividends on the night.”

Nyika also questioned Spence’s motivation after hearing the American speak about no longer chasing world titles.

“I’ve heard Errol talking about not fighting for belts anymore,” he continued. “And saying he’s fighting for legacy. But what is legacy if you’re not trying to get back to the top of the game? I don’t really know what you’re doing it for.”

AMERICAN GREAT’S PAY DEBATE

Paulie Malignaggi has not ruled out a return to professional boxing after almost 10 years out, despite failing to land a spot on the undercard of this Sunday’s Tszyu-Spence blockbuster.

As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia, Malignaggi had offered to dump his commentary duties with Main Event Australia and substitute in for Jermall Charlo after the American’s travel visa was denied.

However, with the fight against Koen Mazoudier obviously having to then take a lower billing, the former world champion and No Limit couldn’t agree on a purse suitable to both parties.

“When I heard Charlo was out, and that 18,000 seats had been sold … yeah, I started getting nostalgic,” Malignaggi told us this week. “Started thinking about the old days. Big fights, big arenas, and said ‘OK, let’s try and work out a deal’.

“And the guys at No Limit, I’ve worked with them several different times now on different broadcasts, so we’re friendly. So we tried back and forth but we couldn’t get it made. And look, I get it. So as quickly as the idea came, it went.”

ALL-STAR MEET AND GREET

Fight fans in Sydney will have the rare chance to rub shoulders with some of boxing’s biggest names this weekend, with an all-star meet and greet set to take place on the eve of Tim Tszyu’s blockbuster showdown against Errol Spence Jnr.

Among those confirmed to appear are superstar Terence “Bud” Crawford, former world champions Shawn “Showtime” Porter and Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, along with a host of Aussie boxing greats.

The event is being organised by Aussie boxing identity Grant “Tassie” Brown, who says fans can expect one of the strongest line-ups ever assembled at a local meet and greet.

“It’s for the fans and it’s stacked,” Brown said.

“Besides the Americans, I’ve got Liam Paro, Danny Green, Michael Katsidis, both the Moloney brothers, Billy Dib, Sakio Bika, the Hussein brothers, Nader Hamdan … the list goes on.

“Pretty much every fighter that’s fought in Australia over the last two decades.”

Brown also revealed he has a little extra riding on Sunday’s main event, having placed a $5000 (US) wager with Crawford on the outcome of the Tszyu-Spence blockbuster.

“I saw Tim yesterday and said, ‘I love you, Tim. I want you to win – and I want you to win even more now,’” he laughed.

“It’s bad enough having to lose money, but it’s even worse losing it to Bud because we’re mates and we’ve got that competitive ego.”

For ticket enquiries, search for Grant Tassie Brown on social media.

GOAT SAYS BOOZE COST HIM

Jon Jones has admitted alcohol has been the driving force behind every major setback of his extraordinary MMA career.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists to ever breathe, the former two-division UFC champ has enjoyed a career unlike any other.

But it has also been repeatedly overshadowed by legal troubles and controversies outside the cage.

Now, in an unusually candid interview, Jones says booze has been the common thread.

UFC 330: Makhachev v Machado Garry | SUN 16 AUGUST 11AM AEST | UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev will return to the octagon for another tittle defence, where he takes on Ian Machado Garry in Philadelphia. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

“I became a little bit of a party boy when I was young,” Jones told Ring Magazine. “And sometimes I ask myself, ‘Jon, how much farther would you have been if you would have never started with the alcohol?’ I feel all my setbacks in life have been directly related to alcohol.

“And I’ve been able to achieve some amazing things and reach some pretty amazing heights. But I feel like things could have been even much, much higher if I would have never gotten into partying.”