Tim Tszyu sets date for ring return
Tim Tszyu is to have his next fight against unbeaten knockout artist Vergil Ortiz on August 3, with long-term implications involving boxing’s new Saudi Arabian kingpin.
The fight will take place in Los Angeles on the undercard of Terence Crawford’s superwelterweight debut against Israil Madrimov.
Tszyu was in Sydney supporting younger brother Nikita in his Australian super-welterweight title defence this week but his appearance on the card was confirmed by Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn in New York.
“Don’t forget, Tim Tszyu against Vergil Ortiz,” Hearn said as the card was announced. “It’s one of the best fights you can make in boxing.”
Ortiz has to beat the 26-6-1 Thomas Dulorme on Saturday for the bout to be official.
It’s an earlier-than-expected return for the Australian after fears he could be out for an extended period following last month’s bloody world title loss to Sebastian Fundora.
The event on August 3 is the brainchild of Saudi Arabian heavy hitter Turki Al-Sheikh and Tszyu’s team hopes his presence on the card will be the first in a relationship with boxing’s new kingpin.
“It’s always hard to be enthusiastic on the back of a loss but with the Saudis coming in and doing what they are doing in boxing, they are only interested in the big fights, and that’s Tim,” Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings said.
“They have already indicated that’s the dude they want.
“If Al-Sheikh and the Saudis go with what they are saying, it will be a long-term commitment. They are absolute boxing fans.
“It’s marvellous to have this new platform and these new guys involved in boxing.”
Although the fallout from Tszyu’s loss to Fundora in Las Vegas continues, Jennings argued his fighter was in an even better position now than he could have been.
“We take the loss with regret and disappointment but we went over there with a mission to launch Tim Tszyu into the American market and how better to do it than to have a bloodbath?” he said.
“His stock is bigger than we could have got from an easy win over Fundora.”