Tszyu takes jab at enemy’s ‘b***hiness’, swipes rival over mix-up after ‘menacing’ stare-off

American challenger Brian Mendoza has promised to spoil Tim Tszyu’s plans to become “the face of boxing worldwide” as the duo prepare to face off on Sunday.

The fight with Mendoza shapes as Tszyu’s final one before heading overseas as the Australian plans to brush a long-awaited bout with Jermell Charlo.

The lingering animosity was clear on Friday as Tszyu took a brief shot at Charlo, suggesting Mendoza was only up for the fight because of “one man’s b***hiness”.

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Instead, No Limit CEO George Rose revealed exclusively to foxsports.com.au earlier in the week that Errol Spence Jr., Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez are “next” in Tszyu’s sights should he get past Mendoza.

Should being the operative word there because first the Australian has to get through Sunday’s fight and on Friday Tszyu faced off with Mendoza. There was a bit of feeling too.

“There certainly was [something] in that one,” The Daily Telegraph’s Peter Badel said of Tszyu and Mendoza’s face-off after the press conference.

“I’ve got to say I think there’s a bit more menacing eye to Brian Mendoza. I thought last time with Carlos Ocampo in June here he looked a bit like a deer in headlights… but I think Brian Mendoza is revelling in his stage. I think he’s here to cause an upset.”

Mendoza said earlier in the week that he believes he is the bigger puncher of the two, telling Main Event’s Ben Damon that Tszyu is a “big puncher and gets combinations” but that his “biggest highlights are off combinations”.

Both Tszyu and Mendoza shared a level of mutual respect for each other when up on the stage but when speaking to Badel and Megan Barnard after the press conference, the Australian had a bit more to say.

“He’ll be in shock about everything,” Tszyu said when asked if he could surprise Mendoza with his power.

“We were in the same town for five weeks, sparring is going around. I know I’ve got it over him. Facts.”

Tszyu had been left waiting in the opening stages of Friday’s press conference, with Mendoza blaming a “mix-up” with his ride to the venue for his late arrival.

“Not trying to be the superstar move or anything, just a mix-up with my pick-up that was it,” Mendoza said after he arrived, explaining he had been waiting outside his hotel lobby for 30 minutes.

“I was hanging back ready… sorry about being late.”

It left Tszyu “dripping”, with the Australian giving his challenger some simple advice.

“Get on time,” the champion said.