Tim Tszyu has accused American superstar Jermell Charlo of dodging him for boozey Las Vegas jaunts — while Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech agrees the unified champ has had “the fear of God” put into him by Australia’s undefeated star.
Despite having a guaranteed Charlo blockbuster in the offing, Tszyu is once again set to roll the dice on another Australian headliner – this time against tough Mexican product Carlos Ocampo on Sunday, June 18.
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Fronting a Gold Coast press conference on Wednesday morning to announce the bout, Tszyu branded Ocampo the biggest test of his career while also blasting Charlo for delaying their hyped championship bout for what has already been four months — and counting.
While their January showdown has been delayed after the champ broke his hand at Christmas, Tszyu is now questioning why Charlo appears to be out and about “getting smashed” on the booze.
He pointed to the champ’s attendance at the recent showdown between Ryan Garcia and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in Las Vegas as proof.
“I was watching the Garcia/Tank fight the other day and the guy was off his head,” Tszyu said of Charlo.
“Drunk.
“There’s a difference between me and him.
“You see me, I’m active. I’m staying ready for the next opportunity.
“And every opportunity I get, I’m going to take it.
“Him on the other hand, he’s on a honeymoon, off to Las Vegas, getting smashed.
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“So there’s a difference and when we do meet there’s going to be trouble — not for me but for him.”
Elsewhere during Wednesday’s media proceedings, Fenech also suggested Charlo was deliberately delaying the Tszyu fight after having watched the 28-year-old’s devastating win over Tony Harrison in March.
Undefeated in all 22 professional appearances, Tszyu secured the interim belt via a ninth round TKO of former world champ Harrison.
When the fighter was asked on camera if he had anything more to say to Charlo, Fenech interjected with: “I think he said enough in the Harrison fight.
“That’s why that fight is taking so long (to be made), I honestly believe that.
“If Tim had’ve looked half as good as he did against Harrison, they would’ve tried to jump on that as quick as they could.
“But seeing what he did — he destroyed him — and doing it that easy, it’s got to worry them.
“It’s got to put the fear of God into them guys.
“They’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Asked about the brutal stoppage win in Sydney, Tszyu said: “The Harrison fight was easy if I’m honest.
“When I went to America (for camp), it wasn’t hard to figure out that slick style.
“Harrison, he’s quick.
“But I wasn’t tired; wasn’t tired at all.
“The next day I woke up and was ready to go all over again, no offence.”
While Tszyu said talks remained ongoing for a Charlo showdown at the end of this year, he also stressed he was looking no further ahead than Ocampo.
Fenech agreed the Mexican now loomed as the toughest fight of Tszyu’s career.
Apart from being Mexico’s top ranked super welterweight, his only two defeats have come in title bouts against pound-for-pound star Errol Spence Jr and world-rated Sebastian Fundora.
Tszyu’s Hall of Fame father Kostya also fought five Mexicans throughout his own storied career, including arguably the greatest of them all — Julio Cesar Chavez.
He never tasted defeat, however.
“The Tszyu legacy is five-and-zero against the Mexicans,” Tim said, grinning.
“And growing up, watching the great rivalries, I’ve always wanted to test myself.
“I’m honoured to fight a Mexican … and we’re looking to bring that tally up even higher.”
Fenech added: “If anyone fights like a Mexican it’s Tim Tszyu.
“He throws punches constantly, doesn’t take a backward step … it’s going to be a war.
“He throws more punches than anyone.
“And on the attack, like he is 95 per cent of the time, he just has to have his hands up. Go in there catching punches before he throws punches.
“All these guys around the world, they watch Tim Tszyu and think ‘I can hit him, I can beat him’.
“But nobody throws as many punches as Tim.
“Nobody hits you as many times or takes the energy out of your tank as quick as Tim does.”
Elsewhere, Tszyu predicated a highlight reel finish against Ocampo – “something devastating” – but suggested the end would likely come only after a real war.
“I think this is a tougher fight (than Harrison),” he said.
“A fight where I’m going to be in the trenches.
“The pitbull is going to come out.
“This fight is bringing me up against a style that’s like a brick wall – you punch it and it won’t fall.
“It’s going to be a tough task … (but) I don’t take one step back.
“So we’ll see.
“It’s going to be a stand off.
“We’ll see who takes the first back step … it isn’t going to be me.”
