American Erickson Rubin has been forced into another sensational departure from boxing superstar Tim Tszyu, just as the Australian IBF world title challenger had warned just a few days earlier.
Fox Sports Australia It was revealed that Rubin had turned down the opportunity to fight for the IBF world title in Australia, leaving Chu's planned September 22 bout up in limbo.
With Tsiu and Rubin's prize money race now off, promoters No Limit will wait to see what action the IBF officials take.
Rubin's team is believed to have told the governing body that he is not fit enough to fight on the scheduled date.
Boxing: Nikita Tszyu vs Mazdiye | Wednesday 28 August, 7pm AEST | Order the main event now on Kayo Sports.
Tim Chu competes in title eliminator | 13:28
But just last week, Tsiu urged Rubin and his team to stop being “the princess” and sign a hotly anticipated pay-per-view headline as she jetted off to a Las Vegas camp with a new partnership with the UFC Performance Institute.
The Sydney resident revealed that he and Rubin had already exchanged messages on Instagram about the September event, which is scheduled to take place at a location yet to be announced.
Choo's comments came following rumors that the American was unwilling to fly to Australia to compete.
Asked if he thought the venue could be an issue, Tszyu told Fox Sports Australia: “Maybe.”
“I know a lot of (American) fighters don't like to travel.
“Or they’re scared to travel.
“After just one hour of flying, they are already complaining.
“It's tempting to say, 'Calm down… princesses.'
“For us Australian fighters, it's something we have to do… We'll also be going to America for camp.”
Shortly after the interview, Tsiu continued: “He first messaged me on Instagram about[the fight]about a month ago and I replied saying, 'Let's do it.'
“I told him I’ve been waiting for him since the beginning of the year.
“So I think he's enthusiastic.
“I just hope he doesn't back down.
“(Laughs) That kind of thing happens quite often.”
“I don't think Nikita respects my power” | 01:13
The latest drama marks the third time Rubin, who is also the top-ranked challenger for IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev, has walked away from talks with Tsiu.
Promoters No Limit initially tried to bring the American fighter to Australia last year, while Rubin was also considered a likely opponent to face Chu when Soul Taker challenged for a WBO-WBC unification bout in March.
American Jesus Ramos Jr. (21-1) has emerged as a possible alternative to keep the September bout alive, while other fighters in the IBF top 10 rankings include unbeaten Germany's Slava Spomer, Jack Kalkai and Xander Zayas and Ireland's Callum Walsh.
Either way, Tsiu and his team have already flown out to the US, where the 29-year-old will take part in a training camp based out of Split T Boxing Gym in his new home in Las Vegas.
Tsiu's head coach, Igor Golubev, also revealed that Tsiu will do a lot of his strength and conditioning training at the UFC Performance Institute, a facility that also caters to non-MMA athletes as well as boxing megastar Terence Crawford and the Los Angeles Raiders.
The bout will be Tse's first since losing a highly publicized bout in a WBO-WBC unification bout earlier this year.
Boxing: Nikita Tszyu vs Mazdiye | Wednesday 28 August, 7pm AEST | Order the main event now on Kayo Sports.
The bout was originally negotiated by Rubin, but the opportunity went to Keith Thurman instead, who subsequently withdrew due to injury, giving the opportunity to big American southpaw Sebastian Fandora.
Of course, Fandora ultimately unified the division with a shocking and incredibly bloody split decision victory.
During the negotiations, an infuriated Rubin took to social media to deny reports in Australia that he had walked away from talks, saying: “Don't start some bullshit you don't know anything about. That's not how I do it. I'll fight anyone.”
But when asked last week if she had any message for Rubin, Chu laughed and said, “Let's make it easier than being a princess.”
“That’s what I want to say to him and his team.
“If you both want it, we'll make it happen.”
