Australian world title challenger Michael Zerafa has revealed that he and Tim Tze's team were messed up by venue officials as they struggled to find the entrance.
Zerafa faced Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight title, but had trouble finding the correct entrance at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Boxing: Don't miss this Sunday when Tim Tzu takes on the 6-foot-6 Towering Inferno Sebastian Fundra in a unified world title bout. Plus, watch fellow Australian Michael Zerafa take on Erislandy Lara for the middleweight world championship live from Las Vegas | Sunday, March 31 at 11am AEDT | Exclusively on Main Event, on Kayo Sports Please place your order. No Kayo subscription required.
talk to main event Ben Damon, Zerafa, told how he and Tszyu's camp were left out in the rain while trying to get into the venue.
“It was a little disorganized,” Zerafa said.
“My team and Tim Tze’s team were all trying to get in front and get wet.
“Today is our show here. It was a little disappointing, but we are here now and there are no hurdles left to jump.”
'Danger' message to TSZYU's rivals and phone calls on important match days
Australia's Tim Tze describes himself as a “dangerous” match for Terrence Crawford or Errol Spence Jr., while his conversation with the Gypsy King ultimately determines where he stands in world boxing. He revealed how confident he was.
Tszyu, who is scheduled to face American southpaw Sebastien Fundora in the Las Vegas title blockbuster today, will also be in his hometown of Sydney before arriving at T-Mobile Arena later today for the biggest ring walk of his career. I plan to call my grandfather Boris.
Normally an integral part of Tszyu's every match corner and indeed his training sessions, Boris' age and travel difficulties have prevented him from traveling the long distances to the center of the world game. .
But when it comes to family support, his younger brother Nikita has been constantly by Tszyu's side in recent weeks and knows his power firsthand. The world champion explains “how two secret sparring sessions between the two turned sour after losing the match.” I'm awake. ”
Start time: What time does Tszyu vs Fundora start in Australia?
Ultimate Guide: Everything you need to know ahead of Tszyu vs Fundora
Despite Sunday's fight being only his second fight in the United States, Tszyu has been the talk of the American boxing world this week, with coaches, commentators and even fellow fighters asking whether Crawford or Spence. We are discussing the story surrounding the confrontation.
However, on the eve of the showdown, in an interview with Fox Sports Australia, 'The Soul Taker' revealed that he finally stole the spotlight 10 months ago after a chance encounter with British heavyweight star Tyson Fury. He said he was starting to feel it.
Back in May last year, Fury flew to Melbourne to watch his good friend Joseph Parker fight at the No Limits pay-per-view event in Melbourne, where Tszyu's younger brother Nikita He was also seen fighting and being stopped by local boy Ben Bomber.
During the night, the Gypsy King not only chatted with his eldest Tszyu sibling, but also gave special praise to his stoppage victory over Tony Harrison just a few weeks ago.
“Then I started stumbling,” Tszyu says with a laugh.
“Tyson Fury was right in front of me and he said, 'I saw that fight with Harrison…I loved that fight.'
“I thought, 'What the heck is this guy watching me fight?'
“So now it’s not such a shock to get all the attention.
“Because you’re talking about elite warriors.
“And I'm an elite.”
Full Tszyu v Fundora weigh-in | 05:19
Tszyu won't have a pop in his corner today, but the fighter stressed that he will be on the phone with his biggest supporter right before facing Fundora.
“I’ll definitely call him on game day,” Tszyu said.
“He's my number one guy.
“Everything is his.
“For the past two months, I’ve been talking to him every day… (laughs) But mostly he’s been calling me non-stop.
“Because if he rings and I don’t answer, that means 20 more missed calls.
“I don't think he knows how to leave a message. He just calls and if no one answers, he just keeps pressing the button.”
Elsewhere, Tszyu also said he was “very happy” to know that his Hall of Fame father, Kostya, would not be furious at ringside after his scheduled appearance in the blockbuster was delayed and canceled.
When asked why he was so resigned to his father's absence, he explained:
“And when we put the two Alphas together in one room (Tszyu started fist-bumping).
“It’s a little tough, especially when your son becomes an Alpha.
“Even though I have so much respect for him, please say, 'Yes, yes, yes, father…'”
A big call for the possibility of TSZYU's next match
Although Tszyu is only focusing on Fundora, he also welcomed the possibility that Crawford would be next if the WBO and WBC titles are unified.
Asked what message he would give to the American superstar, who now has a mandatory shot at the WBO super welterweight title, Tszyu grinned. “It's dangerous… Please don't play with fire.”
Australian boxing's marquee figure also welcomed talk of Spence joining the crowd, simply stating: “I've wanted Errol for a long time.”
As first revealed by FOX Sports Australia, negotiations between Tszyu and Team Crawford have been underway for months, with Tszyu's manager Glenn Jennings also signing a contract just before Christmas last year. The offer of annulment was accepted.
But with the undisputed welterweight champion showing his desire to move up with the mandatory strap on Tszyu, what could make one of the biggest bouts in Australian boxing history a brutal one. The only loss is this weekend.
When asked what Crawford knows about Tszyu during Sunday's headliner, the Australian replied:
“I remember after he beat Carlos Ocampo last year, Crawford tweeted, 'He's dangerous.'
“So he knows.
“And he is a fighter who is willing to take on dangerous opponents and big challenges.
“So for me, a fight like this, against the No. 1 pound-for-pound guy in the world, is about greatness.
“But all I'm focused on right now is Fundora.”
One of the fighters behind Tse's big win was his younger brother Nikita, the Australian super welterweight champion.
Back in February, the WBO champion revealed how the brothers' famous sparring ban was temporarily lifted in order for southpaw Nikita to prepare for his first opponent Eriksson Rubin.
However, it only lasted two spars, as the younger brother won the first spar and, naturally, the older brother sought redemption in the second spar.
“That was during the first spar for this latest preparation,” Tim explained at the time.
“I went for six rounds with someone and Nikita came in for the last four rounds. I was tired and sore, but my brother came in totally fine and ready and cheered me on. He gave it to me.
“Body, head, body, head… (lol) I left the ring with a red face thinking about life.”
But the following Thursday, he says, “I let Nikita in first.''
When asked about this week's events, Nikita laughed and said: “Exactly as my brother explained to you.
“It’s all pretty accurate.
“The first game I got him, the second game he got me mad.”
Just last week, US media acknowledged that Crawford had imposed his “WBO super champion” status during a visit to the sanctioning body in San Juan last month.
This designation allows the applicant to immediately challenge for the WBO title in another weight class.
Crawford hasn't fought since stopping Errol Spence Jr. last July, but his showdown with the Tszyu State side is sure to be a blockbuster.
main card
Tim Tzu vs. Sebastian Fundora — WBO and WBC super welterweight title fight
Laurie Romero vs. Isaac Cruz – WBA super lightweight title fight
Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa — WBA middleweight title fight
Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Angelino Cordova — WBC flyweight title fight
Serhiy Bokhachuk def. Brian Mendoza (via UD) WBC Super Welterweight Interim Title Won
How can I watch it?
Australian fight fans can watch all the action from Tszyu's world title showdown with Fundora in the main event through Kayo Sports.
Qualifiers can also be viewed on Kayo Sports and Channel 503.
Boxing: Tszyu v Fundora + Zerafa v Lara Live from Las Vegas | Sunday, March 31, 11am AEDT | Main Event Exclusive, Order on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription required.
When does it begin?
Preliminaries for Tszyu vs Fundora kick off at 9am (AEDT), with the main card starting at 11am.
tape story
Tim Tze
Year: 29
record: 24-0(14KO)
height: 174cm
arrival: 179cm
Sstance: orthodox
Sebastian Fundora
Year: 26
record: 20-1-1 (13KO)
height: 197cm
arrival: 203cm
stance: southpaw
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