Tim Tszyu says he would never have considered using “delusional” American trainer Hector Bermudez for his hyped boxing comeback bid, stressing: “I don’t even know who the f*** he is”.
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.
Speaking with Main Event on Friday, Tszyu also hit back at the experienced New Yorker – who has trained five world champions – for branding him a shot fighter, a quitter and suggesting the Aussie will be finished within six rounds next Wednesday night.
While initially slated to arrive into Sydney on Tuesday of this week, Bermudez and his undefeated American charge – Anthony Velazquez – only touched down in Sydney early on Friday morning.
After twice being delayed out of Los Angeles, the American entourage then found themselves, within an hour of landing, being chauffeured to Tszyu’s famed Rockdale gym — where Bermudez quickly took the big stick to both the fighter now dubbed ‘Phoenix’ and his new coach, Cuban Pedro Diaz.
Incredibly, it has still been only two months since Tszyu initially disappeared to America as part of a bold bid to find himself a new coach.
Yet Bermudez said decision to united with Diaz in Miami, Florida would not only make Tszyu a worse fighter, but questioned if it was simply a ploy to create excuses for the defeat coming against Velazquez.
The American also said he would’ve had no interest in taking on the former world champion himself, stressing he had quit in his last world title outing against Seastian Fundora – and would likely now do the same again.
To all of which, Tszyu says what about Bermudez?
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“Look up the word ‘hyena’ in the dictionary,” he responded simply. “That’s exactly who he is.
“He’s the one that bites when someone is down.
“When someone is up, he won’t bite. Only when someone is down.
“So I just have to be the lion and ignore this hyena …”
But when it comes to the fight?
“When it comes to fight night,” Tszyu continued, “I’ll take his little boy, grab him by the neck and go like this (grits his teeth and shakes his head back and forth).
“Then I’ll look at the hyena, that’s what I’ll do.”
And as for Bermudez suggesting he had no interest in adding Tszyu to his own list of champions?
“I don’t even know who the f*** he is,” the Aussie fired.
“What’s his name?”
Hector Bermudez.
“Hector Bermudez?” he laughed. “I’ve got no idea who that is but he won’t train me?
“Alright bro, no worries. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
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Then following a short pause, he joked: “He’s probably making more money from Velazquez”.
And as for Bermudez suggesting you’ll be stopped within six?
“Delusion,” Tszyu continued. “That is just delusion.
“I’m going to let my hands do the talking.
“Because I’m confident in my ability, in what I possess .. and he’ll feel it.”
Tszyu also stressed that, despite the barbs coming his way, he had no problem with the American coach speaking out.
“It’s good for you guys,” he said, referencing the media. “It’s great for you guys.
“So keep interviewing the hyenas.
“It means I don’t have to do much when these hyenas are barking.
“That’s good.
“And I know what I’m about.
“I’m solely focused on getting the hyena’s boy out.”
Elsewhere, Tszyu also stressed his unbeaten American rival had no idea for what he was in for, or the upgrade in competition, after arriving only five days before next Wednesday’s Sydney showcase.
“He’s got no idea,” the Sydneysider warned.
“There are levels, I understand.
“And I’m going to take his boy out, like prey … but intelligently.
“Smart.
“He’s no bum.
“He’s a good fighter, he’s undefeated.
“But it’s my time now to change that narrative and have him face somebody [at a level] he’s never faced before, which is facts.”
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.
Tim Tszyu’s Greatest Knockouts | 03:08
Tszyu also stressed his opponent had no reason to use the delayed arrival as an excuse, despite having arrived himself 10 days early.
“I’ve had the same situation,” he shrugged. “I was based in Miami and have gone through the same things.
“He’s got five days.
“Two days is enough if he knows what he is doing.
“I’m just glad he’s here.
“I’ve been messaging [No Limit promoter] Matty Rose ever since yesterday until this morning: ‘Has he landed, has he landed?’
“Thank God he’s here.”
And as for what Tszyu was thinking when he faced off for the first time with Velazquez, who spent part of the showdown grinning?
“Can’t wait to get in there and punch his face,” the former world champ replied. “That’s what I was thinking.
“It wasn’t the laugh and the smile that he was putting out.
“That face is gunna get punched.”
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