Hardworking Hornet taking war to Tszyu
JEFF Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton has warned Tim Tszyu to brace for “war”, putting his former world champion through a punishing training regimen to deliver a knockout within six rounds.
The Horn-Tszyu fight will be launched tomorrow in Townsville, with the coronavirus pandemic forcing the duo to delay their Queensland Country Bank Stadium blockbuster until August 26.
Adding spice to the superwelterweight showdown, Horn has been rocked by the defection of his strength-and-conditioning coach Dundee Kim to the enemy.
Tszyu, unbeaten in 15 fights with 11 knockouts, believes he has the speed and hunger to do a hatchet job on “The Hornet” but Rushton is devising a plan to have the 32-year-old primed to inflict the Sydney slugger’s first career defeat.
“This is going to the most intense preparation we have done for a while,” Rushton said.
“When Jeff walked out of the gym (on Thursday), he was dragging his tail. We did a hard session and there will be a lot more of those in the coming weeks.
“If Jeff is fit and ready, and in top shape on the night, I don’t think this fight will go much more than halfway.”
Seven years younger than Horn, Tszyu is confident he can capitalise on the punishment his rival copped in his triumph over Michael Zerafa in December’s 10-round slugfest.
But Rushton says the Brisbane brawler’s ring craft, honed by 20 wins from 23 fights and big-name bouts against Manny Pacquiao and Terence Crawford, will be an eye-opener for Tszyu.
“Jeff was at about 80 per cent for Zerafa II but I want him back to his Pacquaio best for this fight,” Rushton said.
“Tim’s opponents have never been in Jeff’s league. They just don’t have the power
Jeff has got. Tim has never fought anyone like Jeff before and is not yet in the same league as Manny and Crawford.
“The way I see the fight unfolding, I think Tim will think he won’t be concerned if he drops a few early rounds because he will back himself to put Jeff on the ropes in the later rounds and he will bludgeon Jeff.
“That’s why I want to make sure Jeff has 10 good rounds in him this time. It will be a war.”