By Jim Calfa: Tim Tszyu says the less-than-complimentary things Tony Harrison had to say about him during their kickoff press conference this week doesn’t bother him because he doesn’t take what the former WBC 154-lb champion says personally.
Harrison (29-3-1, 21 KOs) stated that Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs) had never accomplished anything and that he’d been put in the position now because of people with money behind him.
Further, the 32-year-old Harrison said that he’d not had it easy for him to get his shot compared to Tszyu. The reality is the reason it took Harrison six years to get his first world title shot is that journeyman Willie Nelson beat him in 2015 in his fourth year in the pro ranks.
Harrison’s failures slowed his career
If Harrison had beaten Nelson, he likely would have fought for the world title that year instead of waiting until 2017 to battle Jarrett Hurd for the vacant IBF 154-lb title back in 2017.
“I understand how to fight these quick American top fighters,” said Tszyu to Fight Hub TV.
“For me, this isn’t a debating contest; this is a sport,” said Tszyu to Foxsports.
“It’s two different styles. They’ve got similarities, but it’s two different styles,” said Tszyu when asked what’s the difference between Jermell Charlo and Tony Harrison. “I think Harrison is the better boxer in my opinion. Quick, sharp, rangy, good jab.”
Harrison has superior boxing skills than Jermell Charlo, but he lacks the stamina and chin that he possesses. Again and again, Harrison’s poor gas tank and fragile chin have betrayed him in the biggest fights of his career.
If Harrison had better cardio and punch resistance, he would have never lost to these three fighters:
- Willie Nelson – 2015
- Jarrett Hurd – 2017
- Jermell Charlo – 2019
Harrison’s stamina hasn’t improved since his loss to Charlo, as he gassed out in his fight with Bryant Perrella in April 2021, and he had to settle for a 12 round draw against a fighter that he should have been able to easily defeat.
Has money hurt Tony’s ambition?
Sadly, Harrison has fought only twice since his loss to Jermell in 2019, which makes you wonder if his ambition has disappeared due to either the money he made in his two fights with him.
Would Harrison have only fought twice in the last four years if he didn’t make good money from his two fights with Charlo?
It’s hard to believe that Harrison would have been this inactive if he needed money to keep a roof over his head and food on the table, which suggests the money he’s made has had a negative impact on his career.
“He’s full of personality, a good talker. He’s definitely got a career outside of boxing after,” Tszyu said about Harrison. “The lead up is going to be nice & fun. Luckily, I don’t take things to heart.”
