Nikita Tszyu has warned Jermell Charlo his strange press conference with Tim Tszyu was the first of several “weird experiences” awaiting the undisputed super welterweight champion.
Charlo (35-1, 19KO) puts all of his belts on the line against the older Tszyu (21-0, 15 KO) on January 29 (AEDT) at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas as the Aussie star looks to steal the super welterweight crown from his adversary.
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The two had plenty to say to one another – Charlo plenty more than Tszyu – in a virtual press conference on Wednesday, with the American constantly stating he’s “pound-for-pound top ten”, to which Tszyu responded, “I agree with that, bro.”
Charlo elaborated on his frustration and claimed his world “don’t revolve in your world” and that he’s “off this world, baby”.
Tszyu then posed a question that no doubt several viewers supporting the Aussie had on their minds too: “What’s this got anything to do with me, man?”
It somewhat caught Charlo off guard and Nikita believes it’s the first of many times the champ will feel that way.
“I think he’s going to have weird experiences with Tim, because Tim respects him,” Tszyu told foxsports.com.au.
“It’s kind of a first.
Charlo dismisses Tszyu ahead of showdown | 01:37
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“When I was watching it [the press conference], I’m like, ‘What’s this guy on about?’
“It was the funniest thing. He’s got so much anger behind him. There’s arrogance.
“He’s just a guy that’s driven by ego and I feel like a lot of American fighters are like that.”
Much has been made that Tszyu’s date with destiny against Charlo falls on the same day his old man, Kostya, fought for and won his first world title 28 years ago.
Yet Nikita believes his brother’s bout shares another eerie similarity to the build-up of a different Kostya fight: his match-up against Zab Judah in 2001 for the undisputed light welterweight championship.
And the youngest of the trio believes “it’s going to turn out the same way”.
“It’s going to be an interesting build-up to the fight,” Tszyu said.
“Tim’s not someone that’s going to try and talk s*** or try and stir anyone up. He’s just going to be relaxed.
“He’s very similar to my father in that instance, where he’s just in his own world and completely focused.
“It’s very similar to the Zab Judah situation. There was a lot of talking from Zab, a lot of barking, a lot of nonsense.
“I feel like it’s going to turn out the same way.”
