Tim Tszyu’s world title preparations are being secretly aided by an undefeated Mexican teenager so promising, he was initially barred from competing in the US.
In fact, so impressed has Australia’s boxing superstar been with his young sparring partner, Tszyu insists the teen could face Russia’s undefeated IBF king Bakhram Murtazaliev this Sunday – and “destroy” the champ.
That suggestion comes as the intensity continues to build between the world title rivals here in Orlando, Florida, with Murtazaliev branding Tszyu an “idiot” if he truly believes the champ is a step aside fighter, as he claimed to Australia’s Main Event this week.
TSZYU V MURTAZALIEV | Tim Tszyu faces off against undefeated IBF super welterweight champ Bakhram Murtazaliev | SUN 20 OCT 10:30AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
The Russian also laughed off suggestions he was struggling to make weight — stressing he could fight a division lower, if challenged — and described the presence of Tszyu’s Hall of Fame father, Kostya, ringside as being no more beneficial than having Donald Trump or Sylvestor Stallone in his corner.
Yet one fella who will make a difference is arguably the most unknown member of Team Tszyu — sparring partner Emiliano Moreno.
‘Gritty, dog and a tough bastard’ | 03:20
On the eve of his bid to become a two-time world champion, Tszyu has opened up to Fox Sports Australia about the importance of Moreno, still only 19, who has worked extensively with him through what has been almost three months.
Living and training out of Long Beach, California, the youngster is so far undefeated through his first 10 fights since turning professional in 2021.
According to Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings, Moreno was initially forced to take fights in Mexican towns like Tijuana and Guadalajara as most US states bar anyone under 18 competing professionally in boxing or MMA.
So impressed have Team Tszyu been with the work the sparring has given in this camp, they are now keen to bring him Down Under to fight on a No Limit card.
Asked to describe Moreno, Tszyu said: “Emiliano really has that dog in him.
“Honestly, he would destroy Murtazaliev.
“He’s quick, has a good eye, and comes at you with bunches of punches.
“When we spar, he keeps you accountable.
“It’s always good work.”
Jennings revealed the youngster first sparred Tszyu at the age of 17, when the Aussie star was preparing for what would eventually be an interim WBO title win against American Tony Harrison.
His improvements since have seen him become a crucial part of this camp.
“Very big, tough, disciplined Mexican kid,” Jennings said.
“I’ve been so impressed with him.
‘My biggest competitor is my dad’ | 13:17
“And the improvement we’ve seen in him too has been incredible.
“The last sparring session he and Tim had for this camp, brilliant.
“It was so impressive.
“And it really is a credit to Emiliano and his father, just how professional and focused they are.
“I’d actually love to bring him to Australia for a fight.
“He’s a really good kid with a big future.
“I actually see him fighting guys like (Jaime) Mungia, the bigger middleweights – that’s where he will end up.
“Initially, he turned pro in Mexico.
“Had a heap of fights there, hasn’t been beaten.
“But he’s not being rushed with opponents.”
Murtazaliev, meanwhile, held court with travelling Australian media overnight as he prepares to make the first defence of his title at the Caribe Royale Resort.
The hyped headliner comes after the Russian spent years as No.1 contender to the division’s former unified king Jermell Charlo, and was asked several times to take step side payments as the American sought out higher-profile opponents.
Speaking with Main Event’s Ben Damon this week, Tszyu took aim at the champ saying: “He’s a step aside fighter, clearly.
“I’m here to take the biggest fights and make a s*** ton of money. Him on the other hand, it’s step aside money … we’re two different worlds.”
But as for Murtazaliev being offended by the phrase?
“This wasn’t by choice, you understand,” the champ said when quizzed on the step aside tag.
“If it was by choice, yeah, I’d be offended.
“But we had to step aside because the guy was doing unifications.
“If (Tszyu) means it disrespectfully, yeah … but I think he knows what was happening.”
His coach, Roma Kalantaryan, who was acting as translator, added: “He was a step asider because no one wanted to fight him”.
‘Dad is coming to this fight’ | 04:47
So does the champ think Charlo was scared of him?
“I don’t think he was scared, it was a business move,” Murtazaliev continued.
“Very smart business moves.
“He made more money than he was supposed to risking his title against me.
“He (fought) Canelo and, while he ended up losing, made a lot more money.”
Then going back to the ‘step aside’ claim, the champ continued: “If someone doesn’t have a lot of information and talks out of nowhere … then he’s an idiot
“But if he does his research, he should know what’s going on in the business of boxing, it’s all about business.”
The Russian, who suggested he was going to be five times better than when taking the vacant world title against German Jack Culcay — given the build up was during Ramadan, when he was fasting — also had little interest in legendary countryman Kostya Tszyu being ringside.
While Murtazaliev branded Tszyu snr “a very good fighter”, he quickly added: “It doesn’t matter who will be there. It could be Donald Trump.”
Coach Kalantaryan also shrugged it off, saying of Kostya: “He won’t be fighting so it doesn’t matter.
“It could be Sylvester Stallone, Rocky … it’s only going to be one opponent.”
Elsewhere, Jennings also suggested Tszyu had made significant improvements this camp due to his extra strength and conditioning work with the team at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas.
“It’s been an evolution for Tim,” Jennings said of this camp.
“The opportunity to work with the UFC and get a deeper understanding of where he’s at – physically, mentally, all of it – was a great exercise and a real interest for Tim.
“The standard of sparring now is much higher too.
“And it’s testament to Tim that he’s been able to stay in camp for so long without once losing focus.
“He’s in such a good place now.
“Everything is where it needs to be.
“And that’s why the Tim Tszyu you see this weekend, he’ll be a byproduct of that.”
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