Tszyu locks in Japan’s world-ranked Takeshi Inoue as next opponent
Tim Tszyu will put a guaranteed shot at a world title in jeopardy by taking on Japan’s world-rated Takeshi Inoue in what could be his final fight in Australia.
Tszyu has already been mandated by the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) to fight for Brian Castaño’s super-welterweight world title. But rather than wait for that fight to eventuate – a unification rematch between Castaño and Jermell Charlo remains a possibility – Tszyu will step into the ring against his most dangerous yet on November 17.
Tim Tszyu is ready to fight again in November.Credit:Nine
Inoue’s only loss in 19 professional fights was in a world-title bout against Jaime Munguia, considered one of the world’s pre-eminent middleweights. The Japanese fighter has agreed to travel to Australia to take on Tszyu, whose promoters are yet to lock in a location.
“I’ve gotten to the stage where I couldn’t care less who I fight,” Tszyu told the Herald. “I’m not in this sport for a long time and I might as well make the most of every opportunity to jump on board while this ship is sailing.
“Bring me someone in the top 10. I just want to get in there and punch someone’s head in. I couldn’t care less about who is in front of me right now. I just want to get it on.
“It’s not going 12 rounds.
“I’m doing Jaime Munguia’s leftovers; he was a world champion and I’m fighting for no belt at the moment. I’ll take over everyone he fought when he had the world title.
“I’m fighting all of these boys without a world title.”
Tszyu’s promoters, No Limit, were deep in negotiations to make Tony Harrison his next opponent, but the American ultimately opted out. Instead, Tszyu will put his undefeated record (19 wins, 15 by knockout) against another world-class fighter with 10 knockouts of his own.
“It could be my last fight here in Australia, you never know,” Tszyu said.
“The manager and promoter pulled it off, even when everyone thought it couldn’t be done. It just shows we are leading the pack here in Australia.
“It’s a good stepping stone to the big boys. It was always my goal to entertain the Aussie fans, to give them an opportunity to experience this with me.
“The further you go in your career, the more it goes to the international level. We can host events here, but the big time is in the States. That’s where we will be going eventually.
“This will be a tough challenge, I’m sure he will give me my toughest fight, the toughest test of my career.”
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