Clause for alarm: Why Hogan camp believes Tim Tszyu is running ‘scared’
Dennis Hogan’s handlers claim their counterparts in the Tim Tszyu camp have inserted a rematch clause in their contract because they are “scared” they will lose, but believes it will never be triggered because “he won’t want to get knocked out twice”.
The Newcastle Entertainment Centre is expected to be a sellout by the time the Australian fighters get into the ring on Wednesday night for a card that also features compatriots Sakio Bika and Sam Soliman clashing for a third time.
Tim Tszyu in preparation for his fight with Dennis Hogan.Credit:Nick Moir
The Tszyu camp insisted on a rematch clause in negotiations, a stipulation that prompted Hogan’s manager Danny Dimas to claim they were concerned about the outcome.
“They are a bit worried about this fight,” Dimas said. “Obviously they want Tim to win and if he wins, they don’t have to honour the rematch. But if they lose, we need to honour it. It’s one way, they are hedging their bets. They are uncertain.
“Think about it; Tim has won 17 in a row. For him, this is the next fight and move on. He didn’t have a rematch clause with anyone else, did he? It makes sense to keep moving forward and move on.”
Dumas expected that the clause would never be enacted.
“It wouldn’t make sense for [Tszyu] to get knocked out twice, that would look pretty bad.”
Asked if that was the expectation, he replied: “Yep. Seventh round, Dennis Hogan.”
Tszyu’s promoter, George Rose of No Limit Boxing, said rematch clauses were “standard procedure”.
“It’s pretty much a copy-paste contract,” Rose said. “I think it will be a tough fight but I’m confident Timmy will get a win against a good opponent.”
Hogan, who has unsuccessfully contested for world titles twice, is also supremely confident of a knockout win. The 36-year-old believes Tszyu has accepted his challenge before he is ready to do so.
“I think they made the wrong decision on this one,” Hogan said. “They’ve put the rematch clause in, that tells you all you need to know. I really genuinely think I can finish this [early]. We’ll be aiming to do that for sure.
“They know what they’re in for. This isn’t just what he’s had before, this is going to be his best fight yet. It could be the one that turns right around for him.”
If Tszyu wins, he is set to be the mandatory challenger for WBO champion Brian Castano. This will be his first fight in Newcastle, a town father Kostya fought in seven times. Tszyu junior wouldn’t be drawn on the pre-fight talking points that included sponsorship rows, re-match clauses and whether Hogan’s preparation was hampered by a broken nose suffered in sparring.
“Contracts, broken noses, I couldn’t care less,” Tszyu said. “I’m expecting the best Dennis Hogan, he’s a great fighter and I’ve got full respect for him … but this is my ring, you’re in my world and I’m not going to let anyone out. I’m not here to tip and tap, I’m here to do damage.”
Most Viewed in Sport
From our partners
Source: Read Full Article