Tim Tszyu has always wanted to prove himself. Whether it was on the playground or in the ring, the Aussie walks around with a huge chip on his shoulders.
So far, the edge that’s deeply embedded in his system has helped him become a champion and one of the better fighters in the sport today. Yet, despite holding the WBO junior middleweight title, Tszyu believed he needed to expand.
Having an Australian crowd applaud his every move was fun but from now on, Tszyu plans on fighting away from home. Officially, he’ll look to get comfortable stateside when he takes on former unified welterweight champ, Keith Thurman.
It’s been a while since the 35-year-old was last spotted, nearly two years to be a bit more exact. Still, that doesn’t mean he won’t give Tszyu hell, at least, that’s what Andre Rozier believes. When the longtime trainer takes a look at the Aussie’s resume, he notices a few names that force him to stop and stare. But, even with wins over Tony Harrison, Brian Mendoza, and Terrell Gausha – Rozier is convinced that Tszyu hasn’t seen anything quite like Thurman before.
“I would definitely say Keith is better than all of those guys,” Rozier told BoxingScene.com during a recent interview.
At one point, Thurman was the man to beat, albeit in the welterweight division. As of late, however, he’s been both out of sight and out of mind. Inactivity is a common thing in boxing but Thurman has taken it overboard. In six years, he’s fought just three times.
His absence from the sport in general has Rozier somewhat worried. It isn’t that Thurman isn’t a very good fighter but at one point, he was a great one. Will that version show up on March 30th? That’s the answer Rozier is waiting for.
“I don’t know if we’re still gonna have that Keith.”