Australian boxing star Tim Tszyu delivered a defiant message to his critics with a dominant points victory over the previously undefeated American Anthony Velázquez on Tuesday night. Fighting at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Tszyu bounced back from his world title loss to Sebastián Fundora in July, securing a clear unanimous decision to reassert his place in the sport.
A Clinical Display and a Defiant Message
Under significant pressure after winning only one of his last four bouts, the 31-year-old Tszyu was compelled to win. While he couldn't secure a knockout, he outclassed his opponent with a boxing clinic. After the final bell, when asked if he had considered retirement, Tszyu's response was emphatic. 'I'm back. I'm back, f*ck,' he declared. 'The belts are on my mind, but step by step. It's a long journey. You never know where we can get to.'
The victory was particularly impressive given Velázquez's record. The proud Puerto Rican-American entered the ring with an unblemished 18-0 professional record, boasting 15 knockouts. Tszyu, fighting at a catchweight and a more comfortable 70kg for the first time, proved he was in a different league.
Fight Breakdown: Control and Composure
The fight was halted briefly at the start of the seventh round after Tszyu opened a brutal-looking cut on his rival's forehead. Medics attended to Velázquez's corner, allowed him to continue, and he recovered bravely, landing shots on the Australian multiple times. However, whenever the 29-year-old attacked, the far more experienced Tszyu had an answer.
Tszyu applied consistent pressure in the later rounds and appeared close to a stoppage. He stepped on the accelerator in the eighth, a hook-jab combination leaving Velázquez staggering against the ropes. Despite Velázquez's desperate, wild swings in a final exchange in the tenth, Tszyu, who controlled the centre of the ring throughout, was never in trouble. The judges' scorecards reflected his dominance: 100-90, 100-90, 100-91.
Reflecting on a difficult year, Tszyu insisted his goal was to rebuild confidence, not chase a knockout. 'Boxing is a rollercoaster of emotions going up and down, but I feel very fortunate to be in this position right now,' he stated. 'I just wanted to feel comfortable in there. Not go for the KO and be reckless. In the past that's what worked for me. I wanted to take my time, use the jab. I have all the skills in the world.'
Rival's Criticism and a Family Legacy to Uphold
While Tszyu was content with his performance, his long-time domestic rival, Michael Zerafa, issued a scathing assessment from ringside. 'I feel the old Tim is better. If you fight like that, you won't get back to the top,' Zerafa said. He clarified, 'I'm not saying it to hate... There are killers in our division and doing that you won't survive. I wanted him to come out and make a statement that Tim is back and build a bigger fight. I wasn't impressed.'
The event was attended by notable faces including rugby league star Latrell Mitchell and coach Wayne Bennett. The focus now shifts to the Tszyu family's proud unbeaten professional record in Australia. Tim (24-0), his younger brother Nikita (11-0), and his Hall of Fame father Kostya (18-0) hold a combined record of 53-0 on home soil.
The task of maintaining that legendary streak falls to Nikita next. He is scheduled to face the outspoken Melbourne boxer Michael Zerafa in a major domestic showdown in Brisbane on 16 January. The two engaged in a fiery face-off on Wednesday night, where Zerafa told Nikita he 'needs to be punished' to settle a long-standing grudge with the Tszyu clan.
