‘I was pretty scared’: Shock truth behind ‘animal’ chasing Tszyus for KO of the year

Mark Schleibs has opened up on the “scary” left hook that now sees him challenging for Australia’s Knockout of the Year gong, while also promising to become one of the nation’s biggest punchers pound-for-pound in 2024.

Despite fighting at only 53kg, Schleibs has emerged as a shock contender for the KO crown after his brutal demolition of Shamal Ram Anuj in November.

Apart from challenging Tszyu boys Tim and Nikita for the hyped award, the brash Melbourne bantamweight has also unveiled plans for a massive 2024, stressing: “At my weight, no one f***s with me, man.”

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As part of the No Limit/Fox Sports Australia boxing awards, Schleibs is one of five nominees for Knockout of the Year.

While breakout heavyweight Brandon Grach is favoured to win the title following his massive KO against Liam Talivaa – the largely avoided Sydneysider who is himself a nominee – Schleibs is the undeniable ‘smokey’ thanks to his own left hook finish modelled off Filipino destroyer Nonito Donaire.

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The effort joins a chaotic list, which includes…

BRANDON GRACH vs LIAM TALIVAA

In only his second professional outing, Grach iced one of Australia’s most avoided heavyweights with a monstrous left hook that prompted US analyst Shawn Porter to shout: “Oh sh…, I’ve gotta say that. I’m sorry. Sue me, fine me … oh s….” Fellow commentator Barry Michael doubled down, calling it “one of the best knockouts I’ve seen” while Billy Dib added the punch “has to be knockout of the year”.

TIM TSZYU vs CARLOS OCAMPO

Dubbed his ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ performance, Tszyu made a huge statement when he demolished Mexican warrior Ocampo within a round. After initially dropping his rival with a right, it was then a left bomb soon after which jolted Ocampo’s head back, crashed him into the ropes and saw Tszyu retain his interim world title. Huge, given the Mexican had only been stopped once previously – by superstar Errol Spence Jnr.

TIM TSZYU vs TONY HARRISON

In his second entry for the award, Tszyu made headlines in the US, and earned the WBO interim title, with a brutal demolition of former world champion Tony Harrison. Rather than one shot, it was a barrage of about 1000 rights, including several uppercuts, that brought his ninth-round win over the man who once beat Jermell Charlo. Victorious, Tszyu then delivered his now infamous “What’s my motherf***ing name?” line.

NIKITA TSZYU vs BEN BOMMBER

The younger Tszyu sibling required only a tick over two minutes to finish the previously unbeaten Melburnian. While Bommber landed a couple of right hands early, he was quickly brought undone, with a Tszyu uppercut the undeniable money shot, before The Butcher then finished against the ropes, prompting the referee to dive in.

LIAM TALIVAA vs ISAAC LIKI

Among Australia’s most avoided fighters in 2023, Talivaa finds himself on both sides of this list after being both stopped by Grach in November and delivering his own KO King contender on the undercard of Tszyu/Ocampo. The Sydneysider landed a thumping left that spun his rival as he dropped to the canvas.

But Schleibs?

Opening what would eventually be a blockbuster No Limit card headlined by Nikita Tszyu and Dylan Biggs, the bantamweight iced his rival, a Fijian national champ, with a thumping left hook in round five.

Out before he hit the canvas, Anuj collapsed into the corner where he would stay for several moments as concerned officials rushed in to support him.

Which had Schleibs feeling what?

“It was pretty scary to be honest,” the fighter dubbed Magic Man recalled.

“Thankfully Shamal was OK … I just landed the shot and that was it, he was gone.

“One of my favourite fighters, Nonito Donaire, has a great hook and while I’ve now knocked a few guys out with the left hook too, that one is definitely my pick.”

Schleibs credited the finish to extra work he has been doing with a Strength & Conditioning coach, explaining: “I’ve really been working hard in training to increase my power and, in this fight, you could see that power is there.

“I’ve got a lot of knockouts for a little guy and I really believe I’m one of the biggest punchers (in Australia), pound for pound.

“At my weight, no one f…s with me, man.

“Next year you’re going to see an animal”.

So we’re guessing you would also like to see No Limit CEO George Rose start offering up his $20,000 KO bonuses again?

“Oh, I wish,” Schleibs laughed.

“I love boxing and I’m just so grateful No Limit are taking a punt on a kid from the ‘burbs.

“I know a lot of people are jealous, are really f…ing salty that I’m on this platform but when you take hard fights this is what happens.

“I never say no.

“And in 2024, I’m ready to go as far as I can.

“I’ll get back home and go straight back into training.”

While Schleibs entered his KO performance coming off consecutive losses against Rocky Ogden and Brock Jarvis, both those fights had been contested up at featherweight.

“So I’ve been fighting guys 10kg above me, just to get on cards,” he explained.

“But in my most recent fight you saw that when I box, I’m an accurate fighter.

“Shamal, he’s a tricky opponent, awkward with heavy hands

“I also remember landing the left hook initially and he took it well. I thought ‘f…, he’s got a good chin’.”

But the one that finished things?

“Right on the money,” he said.

“That fight was the most nervous I’ve ever been.

“On this platform, there is a lot of pressure.

“I copped a lot of criticism after losing to Rocky, people saying I had talked too much, but now I’m back.

“This really is a new start for me.”