‘I’ll be back.’ Morgan vows to return
Classy Kiwi boxer Bowyn Morgan has sent his best wishes to rising Australian star Tim Tszyu and assured his fans that he is ‘‘unhurt’’ after a brutal knockout loss in Sydney on Wednesday night.
‘‘I’m safe, I’m unhurt, but tonight wasn’t my night,’’ Morgan said in an Instagram post.
‘‘Tim got the better of me early. I wish him all the best for his upcoming fight for a world title.
‘‘I’ll be back. This isn’t the end for the Boman.
‘‘This has been a hell of an experience. I can’t wait to get home and see my family.’’
The 31-year-old Morgan was outclassed as Tszyu battered him with a barrage of punches in the opening round in front of almost 12,000 fans.
Morgan survived one count inside the first two minutes before Tszyu ended the fight in spectacular fashion with a massive right-hand shot that sent the Kiwi to the canvas.
However, Morgan said the brutal knockout would not be the end of his career.
‘‘Lost to the better fighter,’’ he wrote on Instagram. ‘‘I won’t let this stop me and this is not the end.’’
The victory means Tszyu could now fight Brian Castano for a world title early next year if current champion Patrick Teixeira isn’t able to meet Castano before January 6.
A crowd of 11,820 was on hand for Sydney’s first stadium fight since Anthony Mundine fought Danny Green in 2006.
Among the sporting celebrities ringside were AFL superstar Dustin Martin, NRL players Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Damien Cook and Jack Wighton and Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt.
‘‘You guys know what’s next – that’s the world title here in Sydney, in Australia and let’s do it 10 times the size of this,’’ Tszyu said after the fight.
‘‘Australia deserves this, it’s part of history and I’m Aussie born.
‘‘For my Russian fans also, utmost respect to you guys – this is for everyone.’’
Asked who was next, Tszyu said: ‘‘That’s the thing, now the list [of potential fighters] goes on.
‘‘For me, I only want one thing and that’s the world title strap here in Australia.
‘‘I won’t let this stop me and this is not the end.’’
Bowyn Morgan