Exclusive: Tszyu wants ‘fireworks fight’ with ‘KO King’ in dangerous first world title defence

Tim Tszyu has declared America’s Brian Mendoza his most dangerous fight available at super welterweight, insisting a world title showdown between himself and the Las Vegas ‘KO King’ would double as “the fireworks fight of the division”.

Only a week after being confirmed as the new WBO super welterweight champ, Tszyu is now finalising plans to defend for the first time in an Australian blockbuster later this year – with Mendoza, the WBC interim champ, his leading candidate.

While the undefeated Sydneysider has already gone public with plans to become the undisputed face of world boxing in 2024 – and chase names like Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jnr – his more immediate challenge involves defending for the first time as WBO world champion.

BOXING | SUN AUG 23: Nikita Tszyu, with an unbeaten record, faces Jack Brubaker, seeking redemption after a past defeat to Tim Tszyu. Plus, Liam Wilson, takes on undefeated world number 13 Carlos Alanis. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >

Speaking exclusively with Fox Sports Australia this week, Tszyu praised WBO officials for recently agreeing to strip unified champ Jermell Charlo the moment he walks out for his upcoming superfight with Canelo Alvarez on October 1 (AEST).

“Because when you do the wrong thing like he has, you deserve to be stripped,” said the Aussie who has been slated to fight Charlo twice.

“So I’m glad the WBO went and did the right thing.

“It also means my name will be remembered forever on that list of world champions.

“And this belt, it won’t have just been handed to me.

“I won the interim title from a guy like Tony Harrison … so nothing has been just given to me.”

While Tszyu still sees a fight with Charlo in his future, he first wants to test himself against the big hitting Mendoza – whose most recent finish of Sebastian Fundora, via brutal left hook, then overhand right, has put him into discussions for 2023 Knockout of the Year.

Before that, the American also scored a decisive upset against Jeison Rosaria, finishing his rival in the fifth with a devastating uppercut.

Apart from taking the WBC interim strap from Fundora, the consecutive highlight reel stoppages have also elevated Mendoza (22-2) into what Tszyu insists is the division’s No.3 ranking – behind himself and, right now, still unified king Charlo.

And with Charlo now set to be stripped of WBO gold – and Tszyu elevated to regular champion – the Aussie is eyeing off “the biggest challenge of my career” in a title fight on home soil later this year.

While other names have been bandied about over the past month – including Charles Conwell, Danny Garcia and Erickson Lubin – Tszyu insists he wants the man boasting consecutive upsets against Fundora and, before that, Rosaria.

“Right now, the top three in our division is Charlo, myself and then Mendoza,” Tszyu said.

“He’s the WBC interim champion, sharp and slippery, throws unorthodox punches.

“And he has power in both hands. Boasts highlight reel knockouts.

“So when you look at his last few performances, and my last few performances, it’s the fireworks fight of the division right now.”

Asked if Mendoza was the most dangerous available rival, Tszyu continued: “For sure.

“And my biggest challenge to date.

“With the Fundora KO, it was all timing. Caught him off guard.

“Fundora’s hand was placed just slightly where it shouldn’t have been – and that’s all it took.”

But as for respecting the American’s underdog rise to interim champ?

“I respect every fighter who gets into the ring,” Tszyu continued.

“And as a potential opponent, I respect Mendoza.

“But I’m not the type of guy who gives out kisses, hugs or appreciation posts.

“I just know, if a fight between us gets signed, I’ll need to be switched on for every second I’m in there.

“Because in boxing, you have distractions right throughout a fight.

“So I’ll have to work on staying sharp for the whole 12 rounds.”

Back in April, Mendoza sent shockwaves through the 154lb division when he scored a shock upset over Fundora in their Showtime main event.

The end came early in the seventh round, and via two devastating punches.

First, Mendoza hit Fundora with a big left hook, which stunned the champ and caused him to momentarily let his guard down. It was here Mendoza then doubled down with an overhand right that sent Fundora to the canvas.

Before the knockout came, two of the three ringside judges had given the first six rounds to Fundora. A third judge, meanwhile, had scored five of the first six rounds for Fundora.

None of which mattered after the huge stoppage.

Elsewhere, the American also finished Rosario in his previous fight with a big right uppercut.