Tszyu calls Harrison a “next level” fighter

By Boxing News - 03/07/2023 - Comments

By Matt Lieberman: Tim Tszyu has a lot of respect for his older & more experienced opponent Tony Harrison (29-3-1, 21 KOs), going into their 12 round headliner this Saturday, March 11, for the vacant interim WBO junior middleweight title at the Qudos Bank Arena, in Sydney, Australia.

This is Tszyu’s “next level” opponent, and he can’t wait to prove that he’s up to the challenge.

Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs) has listened to former WBC 154-lb champion Harrison repeatedly tell him, the media, and the fans that his resume is thin and that he hasn’t fought anyone to be given his #1 ranking with the WBO.

Instead of saying the 12-year pro Harrison is wrong, Tszyu agrees with him “100%” about his resume not being great, but he doesn’t equate that to mean he can’t win the fight.

As Tszyu points out, Harrison was at one time in his career an inexperienced fighter, and he became a world champion by beating Jermell Charlo. Now it’s Tszyu’s opportunity to prove he can do the same thing by beating Harrison and Charlo.

“It’s been 20 years to get to this point, so what is there to be nervous or flustered about?” said Tim Tszyu to Fox Sports Australia about his fight against Tony Harrison on Saturday.

“I can’t wait to prove to everyone this is where I belong. It’s a big level-up. He talks about resumes, and I 100% agree with that. This is the next level. Just like I approached the Jeff Horn fight, that was the next level as well, and the way I jumped over things.

“The way I approached this fight is that it’s a next-level fight, but I don’t shy away from no challenge. Tony Harrison at 28 years old with 20 fights in, someone else would have been talking about the exact same thing.

“Every champion was once a contender, every champion was once at a point where they would say their resume isn’t that good and then then the backlash. He’s had more fights than me and has more experience.

“This ring doesn’t look big for running, and hopefully, he doesn’t run all night. It depends on what game plan he comes in with and how I adapt to that. Whatever happens in the fight, it’s going to be a banger, that’s  for sure,” said Tszyu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9h822simFI