Tim Tszyu has boldly claimed he wants to be the face of Showtime boxing and follow in his father’s footsteps by making his own case for Hall-of-Fame induction.
The undefeated Australian arrived in the United States well ahead of his bout with American Terrell Gausha on March 27, which is the main event of a Showtime tripleheader, and wasted little time in reminding the US fight media about his lofty ambitions.
Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs), 27, is finishing his training camp in Las Vegas at Floyd Mayweather’s gym, and will then travel to Minnesota days before the bout with Gausha, an Olympian and easily Tszyu’s toughest fight yet.
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“I have come to America with big visions of taking over the whole division and becoming the next great 154-pound champion of the world,” Tszyu told Fight Freaks Unite.
“To become a legend, you must come to America at some point in your career and leave a mark on the sport.
“I want to continue my family’s legacy in boxing, as well as forge my own journey. March 26 is the start of my era.
“This will be my Showtime debut, and I am looking to not just be the best, but to also be the face of the network.
“I want to follow in the footsteps of my father, and one day be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.”
If Tszyu can score a strong victory over Gausha, the win will no doubt fast track his claims for a crack at Brian Castano’s WBO world title and bring him a step closer to making his vision a reality.
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Boxing big wigs in the US are already familiar with Tszyu’s record and have nostalgic memories of his father’s dominant career, giving the Australian a prime opportunity to build on his burgeoning reputation.
You’d be hard pressed to find any fighter making their US debut as the main event on a Showtime broadcast, but Tszyu’s record and name ring loud enough for key decision makers at Showtime and Premier Boxing Champions to take a chance which will pay off handsomely for both parties should Tszyu blitz his way to victory.
Boxing fans and officials in America have vivid recollections of Tszyu’s father Kostya, especially since his biggest wins came in the US, giving Tim a unique selling point to younger and older demographics in the market.
Perhaps Kostya’s most memorable win came against Zab Judah, to become the undisputed champion in 2001 — which was also broadcast on Showtime. He also scored strong wins over Sharmba Mitchell twice, Rafael Ruelas, Miguel Angel Gonzalez and Julio Cesar Chavez.
Tszyu needs to win to keep his mandatory position for a shot at the winner of the rematch for the undisputed title between three-belt champion Jermell Charlo and WBO titleholder Brian Castano.
That fight headlines a Showtime card on May 14 in Los Angeles.
“We are ready to take the next step in Tim’s career as we have had amazing success back home, but we want to show the whole world what he is capable of, and what better place than America for that,” said Igor Goloubev, Tszyu’s trainer and uncle.
“I know that he has the ability of a Hall of Fame fighter. Now we must prove it. 2022 will be a great year for us and we look forward to the journey fighting here in the US.”
California based Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs), 34, has only lost by decision to Erislandy Lara in a 2017 world title bout and Erickson Lubin in 2020. He’s coming off a second-round TKO of Jamontay Clark last March.
Speaking to Main Event, the American said he wasn’t one to trash talk his opponents, and is approaching this fight as a huge opportunity to get closer to a title fight.
“I definitely know I’m a real veteran in this game,” Gausha said.
“[I’m] an Olympian, I’ve fought some of the best. This is not going to be an easy night for him at all. This is not my first rodeo. I’m looking to take advantage of this experience.
“You’ve got an Olympian, a home-bred guy who just won a spectacular knockout in his last fight. A dangerous fight for him, a risky fight for me.”
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