Tszyu in range for a world title bid

TENACIOUS Tim Tszyu believes he is ready for a worldtitle shot in the wake of a ruthless disposal of Jeff Horn that has rubber-stamped him as the new superstar of Australian boxing.

A bruised Horn conceded the baton had been passed to Tszyu, who produced the most stirring display of his career to celebrate an eighth-round stoppage in Townsville on Wednesday night.

There was a sentiment Tszyu had taken the Horn showdown too early in his career, so there is an argument that he is too raw for a possible world-title bid in his 17th professional bout.

But after he pulverised Horn, almost certainly into retirement, Tszyu (below) is hungry, fears no one and is daring to dream. Besides, there is a compelling precedent – his very v own champion father Kostya.

Tszyu senior won w his first world title in his 14th pro fight. He was 25, the same age as Tim.

With the WBO prepared to consider a showdown between the winner of the Townsville mega fight and its champion Patrick Teixeria (31-1, 22KO) in December, Tszyu could soon get his wish.

Asked if he would be ready for a world-title bout, Tszyu said: “I believe in myself, I truly do. I believe I am destined for that road and that’s always been my goal, to get to the very top to challenge myself.

“If I beat Jeff Horn, he is a former world champion, he beat Manny Pacquiao, he has beaten the best in Australia.

“To have beaten Jeff, I can say I can go to the next chapter in my career.”

Tszyu’s promoter Matt Rose said he would explore the prospect of an offshore worldtitle push.