Eddie Hearn has declared Tim Tszyu no better than a 50/50 bet in his hyped world title rematch with Sebastian Fundora – and warned the Australian’s style will “struggle” against elite opposition – while also tipping Jai Opetaia for a unification blockbuster in Saudi Arabia this October.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia from New York on Friday, the popular UK promoter also revealed Australia’s No.1 heavyweight Justis Huni could be catapulted into an interim WBA title headliner before the weekend is out.
The revelations comes as Tszyu – who is tipped to rematch Fundora on July 20 in Las Vegas – has also given his own thoughts on the “iconic” boxing card which, slated for New York’s famed Times Square on Saturday, starts one the biggest weekends in recent boxing memory.
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While Tszyu remains tight-lipped regarding any announcement involving Fundora, ‘The Soul Taker’ happily talked Fox Sports Australia through an incredible weekend of fights involving Canelo Alevarez, Naoya Inoue and Ryan Garcia.
Early on Saturday morning (Australian time), Garcia fights Rolly Romero on a stacked NYC showcase, which also features bouts involving Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney.
Only 24 hours later, Alvarez then looks to unify the super middleweight division for a second time against William Scull, before Japanese megastar Inoue defends all four belts in Las Vegas on Monday.
While Tszyu is backing Inoue, Alvarez and Lopez for victories, he admitted to being split on the Garcia versus Romero bout saying “look, my head says Garcia while my heart definitely leans towards Rolly”.
Himself in New York to promote the Times Square event, Hearn revealed he’s also been busy pushing for the undefeated Huni to earn a late call-up against interim WBA champ Fabio Wardley on June 8 – after his initial opponent fell through.
The Matchroom promoter also tipped the only hurdle still standing between Opetaia and cruiserweight unification – “which is money” – will be sorted by Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, allowing the Aussie superstar to fight three times this year.
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While Opetaia defends on the Gold Coast in June against undefeated Italian Claudio Squeo, what the 29-year-old really covets is a showdown with Gilberto Ramirez — aka Zurdo — who holds the WBA and WBO crowns.
And with Zurdo’s manager Oscar de la Hoya also in New York this week, we asked Hearn what chance he’d pushed the Golden Boy boss to finally get the cruiserweight blockbuster done?
“Look, it’s difficult because Oscar, like everyone else, knows how good Jai Opetaia is,” Hearn said.
“So it all comes down to one question: ‘How much?’
“They know what Jai is about, how difficult the fight is and so it’s a case of getting the money right.
“Right now, Zurdo has his mandatory (against Yuniel Dorticos in June), and fair enough.
“But after that, I don’t think he has anywhere to go.
“Don’t think he has much of an option.
“And I’m pretty confident they’ll make that fight.”
Asked if he thought His Excellency would stump up whatever cash was required to get Opetaia his shot at unifying, Hearn continued: “I do, yeah.
“His Excellency has already invested heavily in Jai and that fight is one he’s already talked about.
“It’s a fight with real value and I think he will want it made.
“Hopefully it’s one His Excellency wants to put on in Riyad Season when it starts again in October.”
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Elsewhere, Hearn also praised Tszyu’s return to form against American Joey Spencer last month but warned the “awkward” Fundora was a more difficult proposition than the man initially tipped as The Soul Taker’s next fight, US great Keith Thurman.
In fact, Hearn stressed Tszyu was no better than even money against Fundora, saying: “I think the fight is 50/50.
“Because Fundora, he’s tricky and full of confidence right now.
“He’s also awkward … horribly awkward.”
So as for Thurman or Fundora being the tougher fight for Tszyu?
“Fundora, he’s fresher,” the promoter continued.
“He’s also got horrible size, horrible levers, horrible style.
“Yes, Thurman is skilful, and a bad style for Tim.
“But he’s old.
“So I think Tszyu gets outboxed early and then proves too big and strong, gets Thurman down the stretch.”
Later, Hearn continued: “I think Tim Tszyu is really exciting.
“But when you fight like he fights, every now and then you come up against someone a little bit better, a little stronger, someone who punches that little bit harder.
“And that happened against Murtazaliev.
“That was brutal to watch.
“And you just can’t fight that way against a guy like that.
“One of the problems with Tim is, he’s spent a lot of time fighting in Australia and dominating those top 15 type guys, or guys slightly past it like Tony Harrison.
“And I think Tim and his team probably, not fell for the hype, but felt they were invincible.
“Thought they could walk through everyone.
“And yeah, a bit unlucky against Fundora because of the cut.
“But again, he probably boxed the wrong fight.
“And definitely boxed the wrong fight against Murtazaliev.
“Tim is a world class fighter but when you get to those elite guys in the ring, he’s going to struggle against them.
“But he’s a big, strong boy.
“Big heart, big balls.
“And I think he is in with a shot at winning the world title.
“Against Joey Spencer, I thought he looked good.
“Joey Spencer isn’t really world class, but he’s still decent and I think it showed, physically, that Tim Tszyu is back.”
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On Huni getting a shock WBA interim shot against Wardley, after American Jarrell Miller withdrew this week with a shoulder injury, Hearn added: “Justis is definitely in the mix for what would be a fantastic opportunity.
“I’ve told Queensberry that we’re ready and news could be dropping in the next 24 to 48 hours.
“And if we get the pick we’ll be ready to go.
“I really think that is a fight where you will see the best of him.
“I’m really excited about his future.”
When it comes to the fights this weekend meanwhile, Tszyu hailed the decision to take Saturday’s card to Times Square saying: “That’s the real deal.
“Sure, the other fights like Canelo versus Scull, and Inoue in Las Vegas are nice.
“But a main event in Times Square?
“This is iconic.
“Never been done before.
“I remember back in the day when they used to take boxing places it had never been to create more exposure, bring in new eyeballs.
“Now we’re seeing that kind of thing again.
“The world is watching, and that’s only good news for boxing.
“More people in front of the sport means more attention, more opportunities, and that can only help it grow.”
So as for his tip in Garcia versus Romero?
“Look, my head says Garcia while my heart definitely leans towards Rolly,” he said.
“I’ve met both of these guys, and I can tell you they’re top fellas.
“Real characters, both of them.
“So I find myself flipping back and forth between who I think will win, because knowing them personally makes it tough to pick.
“They’re both used to the spotlight, the hype, and they know how to handle the pressure.
“So it’s all about who turns up on the night.
“Both are warriors and on any given night, either one of these guys could come out and shock everyone.”
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Elsewhere, Tszyu also backed Haney and Lopez, with the latter defending his WBO super lightweight title against Arnold Barboza Jnr.
“Teo wins this by decision,” Tszyu said.
“He’s the more skilled fighter and he’ll outbox Barboza.
“But let’s be real, Teo’s kind of 50/50 at the moment in his career.
“His last few performances haven’t been what we know he’s capable of.
“There’s been flashes of brilliance, but not the same consistency.
“He’s become more about the entertainment side of things — the trash talk, the hype – and that’s cool, but it’s also part of the reason he’s not quite fighting at the elite level we saw when he took down Lomachenko.
“But make no mistake, he’s got the skills, and it’ll be interesting to see if he can get back to his best.”
And Haney?
“Devin’s just on a different level,” he said of the man who faces Jose Ramirez, with a win putting him back into a hyped rematch with Garcia should he also prove victorious in NYC.
“I think he takes this one by outboxing Ramírez.
“He’s got a slick, technical style that makes you miss and makes you pay for it when you do.
“Haney’s not just about being fast, he’s about being smart in the ring, reading his opponents, and controlling the tempo.
“He’ll frustrate Ramírez, make him swing at air and then punish him for every mistake.”
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