Former WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu is ready to face all the top fighters later this year and knows he must deliver a strong performance against the undefeated Denis Nurja Saturday night in Australia, live on Prime Video in the U.S.
Tszyu (26-3, 18 KOs) and Nurja (20-0, 9 KOs) had their initial fight week face-off, and Tszyu seems determined to leave his losses behind with another win. Nurja knows the Errol Spence Jr fight is on the horizon for Tszyu and doesn’t seem opposed to playing spoiler if given the chance.
Here are some quotes from both fighters and No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose.
“Finally, someone my height. Usually I’m looking up, so it’s nice to have someone your own height. Nurja seems ready, which is good. At least he’s here nice and early.
“It’s unbelievable to be back home in Australia. I’m loving being back home. Australia is always going to be home for me. Even though I’m traveling nonstop and putting myself in uncomfortable positions at times, being back home is comforting.
“Everything is at risk. Your whole career. That’s what you do in this sport. You put everything on the line every time. The biggest risk is not just losing, but your health. You’re always one punch away, so I prepare strong every time because I know what’s ahead.
“I wouldn’t say I fear losing, but it’s not a good feeling and it’s not something I want to experience again. My motivation throughout this training camp, and in life right now, is victory by any means necessary.
“The word annihilation has been in my head and repeated in my head for the last seven weeks. That’s all I want to do. My whole purpose right now is just to annihilate.
“I need to win. And the win comes from the way I want to do it.”
DENIS NURJA
“I’ve had a fantastic training camp. I’ve trained hard for this, in Italy and in London. I’m ready. I respect Tim. I think he’s still in great shape, still a good level fighter and I respect him.
“This is no problem. I will be ready, Tim will be ready and the ring will decide it, not the talking.
“I understand these thoughts, but he still has to pass through me before thinking about Errol Spence Jr., which is no easy task.
“It’s better not to talk about what’s next or the plans before a fight. We have a lot of plans we want to carry out and don’t want to give away anything.”
GEORGE ROSE, CEO of No Limit Boxing
““We’ve got a massive fight this Easter Sunday, live from the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong. It will be the first time Timmy has fought in Wollongong, so that’s very exciting.
“He’s coming up against the number 12 ranked fighter in the world in Denis Nurja. It’s a very tough fight, but a fight that can set him up for huge things later in the year.
“It’s just great to have Timmy back here. I think when you’ve had someone around for so long, you can almost take it for granted, but when he’s overseas in camp you realize how much you miss those opportunities to watch him train live, be around him and feel that energy.
“When Tim Tszyu is back in town, there’s a real aura about him. He’s coming up against an undefeated fighter who has that undefeated strut about him, so it’s a very tough fight this weekend.”
Discover more from Fights Around The World
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
