Tim Tszyu was given a huge fight week scare shortly before catching up with South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett on Wednesday, with revelations American rival Anthony Velazquez has been refused access to his flight out of Los Angeles.
The bizarre situation comes as Fox Sports Australia can also reveal Bennett will be heading a cast of NRL superstars descending on Darling Harbour’s TikTok Entertainment Centre next Wednesday night for Tszyu’s hyped return – among them the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, David Fifita, Jarome Luai and Josh Addo-Carr.
Speaking after his visit to Souths HQ — where he also caught up with players like Mitchell, Walker and Cam Murray, and watched the NRL squad train — Tszyu also revealed how Bennett had urged him to “stay confident” and “block out the noise” as he looks to resurrect his career following three consecutive world title defeats.
Tszyu vs Velazquez | Wednesday 17 Dec from 7pm AEDT | Tim Tszyu looks for redemption as “The Phoenix” takes on undefeated American Velazquez in an attempt to reignite his career. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
The other big headline out of the morning however involved the whereabouts of Tszyu’s unbeaten American rival Velazquez – who has been stranded in LA overnight with his team.
“Are you serious?” a surprised Tszyu said when initially told his rival had not jetted into the country that morning as planned. “This is the first time I’ve heard it. Don’t scare me. Is he coming down here or what?”
Shortly before his star client arrived at Souths HQ, No Limit promoter Matt Rose confirmed to Fox Sports Australia that a ticketing issue had seen Velazquez stopped while checking-in Stateside, and prevented from boarding his scheduled flight out of LAX.
The undefeated American – who boasts an 83 per cent KO record – had been due to arrive in Sydney with his team on Wednesday morning, exactly one week ahead of his showdown against Tszyu.
But as Tszyu watched South Sydney train from the sidelines of the club’s schmick Maroubra training facility, Rose was on his phone trying to ensure Team Velazquez will be flying out tonight.
It’s understood a minor ticketing issue saw the fighter prevented from boarding his international flight.
While the drama will not stop next Wednesday’s headliner from taking place, it does mean the American won’t arrive into Sydney until, at best, six days before the fight.
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Usually, travelling fighters like to arrive Down Under closer to a fortnight before competing in main events, with Tszyu having arrived himself from training camp in Miami 10 days early.
But when asked if the Team Velazquez travel bungle now gave him an advantage, Tszyu said: “Let’s just get him here. Give him every advantage he needs … I just want him here.”
Quizzed on the issue, Rose added: “It’s all due to a technical issue on his ticket.
“He was supposed to be here today. I’m hopeful everything is sweet and he’s on a flight tonight.”
Meanwhile, speaking later as he departed Souths HQ, Tszyu talked about how grateful he was to not only have a chat with Bennett, but also have the supercoach attending next Wednesday’s comeback fight.
Asked about their conversation, Tszyu added: “He just told me to be confident,
“Stay confident and block out the noise. Which is what I’m doing.
“That was the first time I’ve ever met with Wayne … he’s a very knowledgeable man.”
Elsewhere, Walker also presented Tszyu, a Rabbitohs fan, with his own personalised jersey.
But as for what advice the Souths playmaker would offer the returning star?
“I’m not here to give boxing advice,” Walker laughed. “I’m just excited to see him back in Australia.
“I’ve been a real big supporter of Tim ever since he first started boxing professionally.
“I can still remember a night down at the Hordern Pavilion, early days, when he was on the undercard. I was also a big supporter of his dad so to see him back in Sydney is great.
“And we’ll all be down there next Wednesday night supporting him. I can’t wait to see him back out there and raising his hand in victory.”
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