Sledges fly head of big Vegas showdown
Tim Tszyu stepped up to the microphone in Los Angeles and boldly welcomed the boxing world to a new era, but it was a flashy and flamboyant Keith Thurman who stole the show in their wild first press conference.
The former unified welterweight world champion promised to close the gates on Tszyu’s “new era” and send the Sydneysider back to Australia with his “tail between his legs” and saying “sorry, pops, I messed up”.
Tszyu will make his longawaited Las Vegas debut against Thurman on March 30 (March 31 in Australia) at TMobile Arena and he predicted a changing of the guard from the 35-year-old Thurman to himself.
“I know what he’s done but his time has come, this is a different era,” Tszyu said. “This is the Tim Tszyu era.
“I aspire to the throwback fighters. Fighters these days, in this modern era, they are just a bunch of pussies.
“In the 2000s, everyone just fought the best. That’s what I am.
“I don’t plan on just beating Thurman, I plan on putting on a spectacle that he’s never seen. I want those big names – (Errol)
Spence and (Terence) Crawford.
“Welcome to the Tim Tszyu era.”
It was a bold statement from the Aussie in his first big presser in the US and showed he wasn’t overawed by the moment. However, Thurman then took the microphone.
“They say you’re coming from Down Under and I am trying to put you under, mate,” he raged. “He might have signed that contract but, boy, you don’t know what you just did, boy. Bitter for you and sweet for me!”
Thurman, whose nickname is “One Time”, wasn’t done there. It’s been nearly two years since the American last fought and he seemed to be making up for lost time.
“He’s coming – young, undefeated, determined – trying to open up the gates to his new era, the new generation,” he said.
“But it’s my job to close the door shut right in his face.
“I want him to go back tail tucked to his daddy in Australia, saying, ‘Sorry, pops, I’m sorry, the Tszyu name, I messed up, I didn’t know he was that bad’.”
Tszyu promised to deliver a knockout. “Mark my words, I will knock you out in 12 rounds,” he said.