Tim Tszyu is poised to become the first Australian boxer to feature on a pay-per-view platform in the United States since his legendary father, if he defeats Brian Mendoza on Sunday.
Tszyu will make his first defence of his WBO super-welterweight world title against Mendoza at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. The bout will be beamed to tens of millions of American fight fans in a prime-time on Saturday night slot, the fourth time the “Soul Taker” has featured on Showtime.
Tszyu is already a pay-per-view star in Australia, where he has generated a strong following during his journey towards a first world title. Should the 28-year-old keep his undefeated record (23 wins, 17 knockouts, no losses) intact against Mendoza (22 wins, 16 knockouts, 2 losses), American boxing fans will need to pay for his next fight.
It is a feat not achieved since the career of his hall-of-famer father Kostya, who fought in the 1990s and 2000s.
“This fight means a lot because it opens the door to America,” said Tszyu’s promoter, Matt Rose, of No Limit Boxing. “He has now been seen for over 18 months on Showtime, but the next one will go on the pay-per-view platform. That hasn’t been done [by an Australian] since his father did it.”
Showtime and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) have put on the three biggest fights of the year: Gervonta Davis’ win over Ryan Garcia; Terence Crawford’s masterclass against Errol Spence jnr; and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s “undisputed” victory over Jermell Charlo.
Tim Tszyu and Brian Mendoza at the weigh-in ahead of their boxing bout on the Gold Coast.Credit: Zain Mohammed/No Limit Boxing
Tszyu, performing on the same platform, is poised to join that elite company for his upcoming bouts.
“Tim goes into that league next year,” Rose said. “Those are the guys Tim is looking to fight, Spence, Crawford and Canelo.
“Whatever pops up, whatever opportunities come, they are the fights that Tim wants. He wants the big stage, the big pay-per-view platform and it will be awesome. Tim is a guy who breaks opponents down, he walks forward and he’s entertaining.”
Kostya Tszyu was a huge drawcard for American fight fans, who loved his walk-forward style and knockout power. The “Thunder from Down Under” was involved in memorable battles that become ratings bonanzas, including his wins over Zab Judah, Sharmba Mitchell, Julio Cesar Chavez and Miguel Angel Gonzalez.
Americans were prepared to pay to watch Kostya Tszyu in fights like this one against Zab Judah in 2001.Credit: Reuters
Now Tim Tszyu feels he is becoming a recognisable face in the US.
“They’ve taken attention, and I’ve noticed – I felt it in the gyms in Vegas,” Tszyu said. “They know the go. Showtime wouldn’t be coming out here all the way down to Australia for rubbish …
“When they mention the name Tszyu, they’re going to say it’s the greatest family of boxers that ever lived.”
Tszyu has long eyed off a clash with former undisputed super-welterweight world champion Charlo, who knocked back a mandated fight to instead chase the money against Alvarez.
Former world champion Kostya Tszyu and son Tim Tszyu in Sydney in 2019.Credit: Getty
Two-time welterweight world champion Shawn Porter, in Australia to commentate on the Tszyu-Mendoza fight, believes that bout will never happen. However, Porter feels a win against Mendoza will make Tszyu a star to follow for American fight fans.
“They know who he is,” Porter said. “I think this [fight] is the one. I think you guys have wanted the last one and the one before that to be the [fight where he cuts through to the American mainstream]. I truly do think that this [is the one]. It is his third fight this year. And when you’re that active, nobody can ignore you, especially when you have been the No.1 guy.
“Nobody can ignore that. On top of that, Brian’s last performance, he’s got somewhat of a hot name now, too, you know. So, I think this is really the one that solidifies Tim as the guy at 154 [pounds].”
Most American pay-per-view events cost between $US70-$US80 ($110-$127) to watch and rake in tens of millions of dollars for the networks. In an interview with Main Event before the Alvarez-Charlo bout, Showtime president Stephen Espinoza said he felt Tszyu could become a pay-per-view attraction.
“When they mention the name Tszyu, they’re going to say it’s the greatest family of boxers that ever lived.”
Tim Tszyu
“I think so because of his style, because he’s never in a boring fight,” Espinoza said. “And he’s there in the conversation with anybody that you think could happen. I mean, who knows, there could be a Crawford-Tszyu fight at some point in the future …
“There’s a special affection we have for Tim because there are a lot of long-time employees who will remember Kostya and remember the kinds of fights that he did and what he did for the network.
“And then meeting Tim and seeing how personable he is, how easy to work with and what an exciting fighter is. He’s made a big impression in the US in a very short amount of time.”
Mendoza shapes as Tszyu’s toughest opponent yet after recording stunning knockout wins over former unified WBA and IBF light middleweight champion Jeison Rosario and the previously unbeaten Sebastian Fundora to take the WBC Interim super-welterweight belt.
Both fighters made the weight without incident on Saturday, Tszyu tipping the scales at 69.4kg, Mendoza at 69.85kg.
“I know he’s got a lot of fire in his heart and I just feel like I have more,” Mendoza said. “I have the experience, you to fight at this level and just do what I have to do to get that win.”
