Fighters primed for bout

Aussie boxers to target US

Promoters of the postponed Jeff Horn v Tim Tszyu fight will look to make the event one of the first major live sporting contests beamed around the world once the coronavirus crisis has passed.

The global pandemic has forced the delay of the Australian super fight scheduled for April 22 in Townsville.

Plans are now being hatched to stage the fight on a Sunday morning so it can be broadcast prime time in the US at a time sports fans will be feverishly seeking live content amid mass cancellations of major tournaments.

“The coronavirus has made it impossible for us to safely stage the fight on April 22 as planned so we have postponed it pending developments and health advice, but it gives us a chance to get creative with how we broadcast it at a later date,” Tszyu’s promoter Matt Rose said yesterday.

“Sports fans around the world are unfortunately facing the prospect of not seeing much live content for quite a while.

“We have two fighters at the peak of their careers, the top of their game, who have been training the house down in preparation for April 22, but it won’t take them long to readjust and get ready for the new date as soon as we have it.

“So we’ll have a hugely exciting event that will be attractive to broadcasters all over the globe, which is why we’d consider holding it on a Sunday morning in Australia so it can reach a peak audience in the US, at a time fans will probably be craving live sport.”

Horn’s promoter Dean Lonergan said the fight would still be held in Townsville’s new Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

“The plan is still to go down that path and have 25,000 people in attendance at the magnificent new stadium,” Lonergan said.

“Unlike the NRL or AFL, we don’t have to be forced into any major decisions in a rush.

“We’re nimble, we’re a singular event. In boxing we put up with injuries and fighter pull-outs all the time.

“Once the ban is lifted we’ll be putting on this fight and it will be a major show.”

Tszyu has held his most intense training camp to date for the showdown against his Brisbane rival.

“I’ve trained very hard for this fight for eight weeks. While I’m disappointed, in the scheme of things I completely understand the fight cannot go ahead at this time,” Tszyu said.

“I wish everyone stays safe.”