Renowned boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has questioned whether Tim Tszyu is an “elite level” fighter, saying his team made the mistake of overrating his talent.
Tszyu faces a crucial year ahead as he looks to rebuild his standing on the international stage after consecutive defeats to IBF super welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev and Sebastian Fundora.
The former WBO champion’s next match will be a vital stepping stone in his road back but Hearn believes Tszyu’s promoters need to build his confidence before he goes back to fighting the upper brass of the 154lbs division.
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Tszyu spoke to Australian media at the end of 2023, downplaying calls for a fight with long-time rival Michael Zerafa, saying he’s an international fighter, inferring such an event would be a step down for the Sydney boxer.
Bakhram Murtazaliev punches Tim Tszyu at Caribe Royale Orlando. Getty
Zerafa says the wheels are in motion for a fight in April despite Tszyu’s denials. While Tszyu still has belief in his own ability, and has been offered a chance to undergo a training camp in Russia under his father’s watchful eye ahead of his next bout, Hearn, who heads international stable Matchroom which features several Australian champions, believes a step back is what Tszyu sorely needs.
Speaking to Aussie boxing insider Jai McAllister’s YouTube channel, Hearn said Tszyu’s promoters believed in their fighter’s hype too much in pitting him against Murtazaliev, a highly avoided fighter on the world stage.
“I’m a big Tim Tszyu fan. I think he’s a great fighter. Sometimes, you can believe your own hype a little bit as a fighter, and I think they felt that Tim was unbeatable.
“I really admire that they took that fight, and they should have taken that fight because it’s for a world championship. But no one really wants to fight that guy because he’s a serious dude with no value.
“Sometimes, you can get carried away. There’s a massive difference between fighting in Australia and the Australian market and then going out on the world stage and taking on elite opposition.”
Hearn continued: “I think the unknown about Tim Tszyu is, is he really elite level? He’s a world-class fighter; there’s no doubt about it. But is he really at that level? Maybe. I think the jury is out. There’s no shame in that. Sometimes, you step up to that level, and you’re not good enough.
“If I was his promoter, I’d probably fight him over here [in Australia], and get him a confidence win against a top 15 guy, and then I’d go back to America. One thing you know – he’s must-watch TV, Tim Tszyu. He’s not going to struggle to get opportunities because people think they can beat him, and he’s great to watch.”
One of the glaring mistakes that struck the US boxing world after the beating to Murtazliev, was Tszyu’s lack of adjusting on the fly when things were going bad for him.
Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport. Getty
Even though he was getting slaughtered staying in front of the Russian, he just kept moving forward and walking into punches.
While Murtzaliev is one of the most feared men at 154lbs, there are other fighters who also hit with the same level of force but perhaps move a little better.
The likes of Serhii Bohachuk, and Vergil Ortiz Jr – the man Tszyu was supposed to fight instead of Fundora – pack an even bigger punch than the Russian champion according to US boxing insiders.
“You can’t just walk through people at that level,” said Hearn of Tszyu’s style and lack of adjustment.
“You’ve got to be cuter than that, and Tim has been built off that. I love watching Tim Tszyu. He’s very, very exciting, but you don’t really want too many fights like that.
“It’s really going to shorten your career, and it’s going to be interesting to see what they do with him when he comes back.”
