In front of a roaring crowd, the undefeated Australian sensation Tim Tszyu systematically dismantled top-contender Brian Mendoza during his first WBO Junior Middleweight World Title defense. The exciting 12-round affair, broadcasted live on SHOWTIME, emanated from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia.
Tszyu, always the professional in the ring, showcased precision and power, though he fell short of delivering the final blow to Mendoza. Despite that, he delivered some thrilling shots that had fans on their feet. His performance ensured victory with the judges scoring 116-111, 116-112, and 117-111 in his favor. Tim’s record now stands at an impressive 24-0 with 17 knockouts. On the stats side, he connected with 38% of his power punches, in contrast to Mendoza’s 31.6%.
Mendoza, on his part, was nothing short of resilient. Even though he exhibited significant toughness and durability, his previous knockout streak came to an end, updating his record to 22-3 with 16 KOs.
In the aftermath, Tszyu was quick to express his ambitions, openly challenging unified 154-pound champion, Jermell Charlo. He humorously hinted at Charlo’s possible overconfidence and invited the champ to prove himself. Additionally, he hinted that his future fights might shift to the U.S, leaving Australian fans to savor what might be his last local fight for a while. When discussing the division’s top spot, Tszyu confidently stated his intention to prove himself as the best.
Tim also took a moment to give Mendoza his due respect. In his own words, Mendoza was “slick, crafty, and powerful” – a top-contender who just wasn’t his match that night. Tszyu wrapped up his post-fight interview with a heartfelt thank you to his Australian supporters, teasing a future rendezvous in Vegas.
The fight itself saw Tszyu in control, setting the pace and landing significant blows. Rounds 10 and 11, in particular, had Mendoza taking some punishing shots, but the man displayed remarkable resilience. Tszyu’s dominance was evident as early as round five, where a combination of punches resulted in a notable bruise under Mendoza’s eye. Several powerful strikes were launched throughout the fight, showcasing Tszyu’s control and strategy.
Elsewhere on the card, Australia’s emerging star, Sam Goodman, displayed an exciting performance against the seasoned Miguel Flores in a 12-round catch-weight bout at 125 pounds. Goodman’s diverse fighting style kept him ahead, and he successfully maintained his undefeated streak, now standing at 16-0 with 7 KOs. Flores, despite his experience and grit, faced multiple setbacks and saw his record adjust to 25-5-1 with 12 KOs.
