By Dan Ambrose: Tim Tszyu says his opponent, former WBC junior middleweight champion Tony Harrison will be in for a “shock” on March 12th when they meet in Sydney, Australia.
The unbeaten Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs) will take the 32-year-old Harrison (29-3-1, 21 KOs) to the deep end and not let him have any air. That is to say, Tszyu will apply unrelenting pressure on Harrison until he finally breaks under the strain of nonstop heavy shots being thrown his way.
Tszyu cannot lose this fight if he wants to face undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo later this year.
The two were supposed to have fought on January 28th, but Jermell suffered a left hand injury in training. He’s now expected to return to training by April, so the fight with Tszyu might not happen until June or July.
Does Harrison have anything left?
Many boxing fans, both casual & hardcore, believe Harrison will have too much skills and experience for Tszyu to handle in this fight.
However, what the fans are failing to notice is how poor Harrison has looked in his last three fights dating back to his rematch with Jermell Charlo in 2019.
That fight may have taken something out of Harrison because he’s looked like the shell of his former self in his two contests since then against Sergio Garcia and Bryant Perrella.
What we’ve seen from Harrison in his last three bouts probably won’t be near good enough for him to defeat Tszyu.
“These things happen, and I was disappointed,” said Tim Tszyu to Fighthype about his fight with undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo being postponed due to a hand injury from the champ.
“For me, it was getting the fight. I hadn’t fought for a long time, so I needed someone to get in there with. I needed someone at that 1% caliber, at that top, top level. I’m glad I got this fight.
“I stayed focused, and I took it to my team, and I said, ‘Make the best fight possible,’ and they got it done. I think in terms of that American style, we’re not used to it in Australia. Aussies are ‘close your eyes and swing.’
“You punch him and close your eyes and swing, and it also brings a big danger. There are a lot of overhands and punches that are unorthodox. That American style is a very smart style, but it can also work in your favor.
“Hard to hit, rangy, quick, good reflexes, good eye, good brains,” said Tszyu when asked what is the typical American fighting style. “Tony Harrison has got great tools, great tools.
“Another fight in the meantime is a positive. I’m still young, I’ve got plenty to learn, and there’s so much to learn in the sport. It baffles me the progression you can make from 10 weeks to 12 weeks just by staying on the grind.
Tszyu to use pressure to break Tony
“That’s what I hope for,” said Tszyu when asked if the intelligent pressure would be too much for Tony Harrison. “It’s going to be a different type of style. We’ll see what happens.
“For sure, Tony Harrison is the top 1%,” said Tszyu when asked if Harrison is an upgrade from his last opponent Terrell Gausha. “He’s the one that beat the man [Jermell Charlo]. I’m fighting the man that beat the man. It’s a good step up for me and something I’m looking forward to in my career.
“Yeah, I did,” Tszyu said on whether he thought Harrison won the first Charlo fight in 2018. “Yeah, it could have gone either way, but I think he won it. My defense is very underestimated. People don’t realize. They think I’m there, but I’m not there.
“You can see it from the outside differently than what you see from the inside. Instinct through hours and hours in the gym,” said Tszyu about how he’s able to corner his opponents. “I’ve been busting my a** nonstop, so the hard work will pay off.
“He’ll be in shock,” Tszyu when told that Harrison said that he lacks boxing knowledge. “Good, he’s a true professional. That’s the way it should be,” said Tszyu on Harrison being in shape already at 165 for their fight in March.
“I’m not too sure, but I’m definitely not 165. I’m a big boy. I’m getting bigger & bigger. I’m eating cleanly. Everything is on track. I’ve hired a chef now. My foods on point, and I don’t have much body fat either.
“168. My game plan is pretty simple. Get him in the water and drown him. If he wants air, he won’t be allowed any air and he’ll sink. Make him sink. That’s quite simple.
“100%, that’s the plan,” said Tszyu when asked if his plan is to return to the U.S after beating Harrison to fight Jermell Charlo.
