‘I was wrong’: Tim Tszyu makes US boxing star eat his words after ‘nothing too special’ sledge

Tim Tszyu was favoured to continue the unbeaten start to his boxing career on Sunday but not everyone was convinced.

Undefeated lightweight star Shakur Stevenson, for example, said he had not seen anything “too special” from the Australian and backed Brian Mendoza in for the upset.

“I think Mendoza beats Tim Tszyu,” Stevenson said at the time.

“I’m not a big Tim Tszyu fan

“I really ain’t see nothing too special about Tim Tszyu.”

UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 | SUN 22nd OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

But when the final bell sounded and Tszyu had his hand raised after a unanimous decision victory, the former world champion took to social media to change his tune.

“I was wrong bout Tim Tszyu he looked better then I thought he was last night,” Stevenson

wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Tszyu will now head overseas as he looks to continue commanding the respect of the boxing world, with fights against Jermell Charlo and potentially Errol Spence Jr. on the horizon.

It was not just Stevenson who was full of praise for the Australian after Sunday’s victory though, with legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas particularly impressed with his patient approach.

“Tszyu is nothing fancy, very conventional and focused approach. Him & Charlo very interesting. Both good offensively,” Atlas wrote.

Prominent boxing writer Mike Coppinger, meanwhile, described Tszyu as “must-see TV”.

“Strong performance from Tim Tszyu with the unanimous decision victory over Brian Mendoza (116-112, 116-111 and 117-111.) He’s must-see TV. Never takes a step backward. Methodical pressure. Impressive win over a very tough and game Brian Mendoza. Tszyu’s power is different,” Coppinger wrote.

Still, Tszyu’s relentless power was not enough to finish Mendoza for the first time in his career.

Although that certainly said more about the American’s incredible toughness than any shortcoming on Tszyu’s part.

While Tszyu was unforgiving as he constantly pressured Mendoza and hunted the finish,

American boxing great Shawn Porter said on Main Event that the Australian’s composure after the fight was just as impressive as what he did inside the ring.

“I’ve been talking to you for so long about the maturity and how much he’s grown in this short amount of time and I just see more and more of how much of a complete champion he is every time I see him out,” Porter said.

MORE TSZYU VS MENDOZA NEWS

Tszyu calls out ‘delusional’ rival to ‘come get it’ as Vegas epic awaits

Awkward moment after Tszyu’s hilarious post-fight quip to legendary dad

Tszyu’s Plan B if Charlo runs scared as Aussie eyes Vegas-NRL combo for next fight

Elliot Worsell of Boxing News echoed similar sentiments as he lauded Tszyu’s fearless commitment to remain active and “back himself” in every fight irrespective of his opponent.

“While Tim Tszyu continues to live in the shadows of both his famous father, Kostya, and, for now, Jermell Charlo, it is becoming increasingly clear that he is about to break out from these shadows and stand alone,” Elliot Worsell wrote.

“Clearly, Tszyu, a chip off the old block, is keen to test himself against the best. Moreover, as shown tonight against Mendoza, 22-3 (16), and in previous fights, he has no fear of staying active and taking risks during the wait for the fight that will, one suspects, ultimately define him.

“That, of all the things that make Tszyu such a force at super-welterweight, is perhaps the one aspect that shouts louder than the rest. Because it is obvious now that he backs himself and that he has complete confidence he will not just stay unbeaten as he waits but that he will, when the time comes, make the most of his opportunity.

“He also has full belief this opportunity, which can be granted by Charlo, a man he has chased for some time, will soon be his; that is, he refuses to subscribe to the notion that Charlo is for some reason avoiding him.”

Worsell went on to write that Tszyu is “ready to test himself against the best” as the Australian targets a long-awaited fight with Charlo, who still holds the WBC, WBA and IBF straps.

Otherwise, Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings suggested Spence Jr. as another potential target as the Australian now looks to take the next step in making himself a global name.