The biggest fight of Tim Tszyu’s career has arrived, with his dreams of an imminent world title shot on the line when he tests himself against tough Japanese star Takeshi Inoue on Wednesday night.
Tszyu is the mandatory challenger to the WBO super welterweight title held by Brian Castaño, failing to beat No.6 ranked Inoue would seriously set back his bid to become world champion.
There is even more at risk though when the unbeaten Australian enters the ring.
Watch Tim Tszyu vs Takeshi Inoue LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo and Foxtel, Wednesday 17th November from 7pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
Tszyu will lose a career-high $2 million pay day if he suffers a shock defeat on Wednesday night.
That is according to a News Corp report which claims Tszyu would be on track to earn double the $1 million he will pocket from the fight against Inoue.
It only furthers the pressure on Tszyu, who is already a near-unbackable favourite with bookies.
“It’s an interesting one because he didn’t need to take the fight,” Paul Kent said on Main Event.
“He’s already the number one ranked fighter in the world, which means he is already the mandatory fighter for the champion. It means all he’s got tonight is the potential to lose that. “But he is a young fighter so he needs to stay active. He’s still learning in the ring and I like the confidence. He doesn’t want to go too long in between fights, he doesn’t want any long periods of inactivity so he has taken this fight.
“He’s certainly taken the risk but the confidence is a good sign.”
The imposing Inoue will not be a pushover though — his only career loss in 19 professional fights came in a world title fight against Jaime Munguia in 2019.
Former world champion Barry Michael declared on Main Event: “I’ve watched this guy, I’ve watched this guy in a fight for the world title against (Jaime) Munguia. He lost a unanimous decision (in 2019, his only defeat). Munguia is 34-0 now and he’s a big middleweight, he’s six foot.
“Inoue walked through everything. (Munguia) hit him with everything but the corner stool!
(For Tszyu) It’s an incredible risk, and you’ve got to respect Tim Tszyu.
“If Tim Tszyu can stop this bloke – no one else has done anything like that and Tim says he will knock him out within six. If Tim Tszyu knocks him out or stops him, I believe it’ll be with body shots. And it’ll make the world stand up and take notice in a big way… It really is a very very dangerous fight for Tim. But once again, he learns on the job – every time we see him he gets better.”
Inoue is certainly well-prepared too, shadow boxing in the ring well prior to start of the undercard ahead of Wednesday’s fight.
It promises to be a thrilling evening in Sydney, with the undercard featuring Wade Ryan vs Nath Nwachukwu and a host of Tszyu’s former opponents including Dennis Hogan and Joel Camilleri.
START TIME: When will the fight actually start?
HUGE CALL: Fenech thinks Tim could be better than Kostya
HOW TO WATCH
The undercard will be broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports.
To watch Tszyu v Inoue as well as the other mouth-watering fights on the main card, you can purchase it through Main Event via Kayo and Foxtel for $59.95.
Foxsports.com.au will provide comprehensive coverage on fight day, including a live blog and video soon after the fight.
ORDER THE FIGHT NOW.
MORE COVERAGE
‘HE’S JOKING’: TSZYU LAUGHS OFF RIVAL’S COLD THREAT AHEAD OF WORLD TITLE ‘GAMBLE’
HORN’S GLOWING PRAISE FOR TSZYU, WHO HAD ‘HEAVIER’ SHOTS THAN ONE OF WORLD’S BEST
ULTIMATE GUIDE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF TSZYU’S BIGGEST TEST TO DATE
‘HE’S A LIAR’: INOUE’S BLUNT RESPONSE TO ‘CHILDLIKE’ AUSSIE BOXING STAR
FULL CARD
Main Card (from 7pm AEDT)
Tim Tszyu vs Takeshi Inoue (WBO Global and Asia Pacific Super Welterweight title)
Nath Nwachukwu vs. Wade Ryan (IBO International Super Welterweight title)
Tommy Browne vs Dennis Hogan (super welterweight)
Koen Mazoudier vs. Joel Camilleri (WBC Australasian Super Welterweight title)
Trent Girdham (super lightweight) beat Alex Lual via UD (39-36, 39-37, 40-35)
Undercard (from 6pm AEDT)
Benjamin Hussain (super welterweight) beat Darwin Sagurit via UD (39-37 x3)
Jackson Murray (heavyweight) beat Shant Nercessian via 1st round TKO
Jacinta Austin (bantamweight) beat Viviana Ruiz Corredor via split decision (40-36, 39-37, 37-39)
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