Tszyu vs. Mendoza Preview
The WBO junior middleweight title will be on the line Saturday, October 14 in Queensland at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. Australian champion Tim Tszyu will defend his title against interim WBC champion Brian Mendoza.
Tszyu (23-0, 17 KO) is coming off a first round KO victory in June over Carlos Ocampo in which he retained the interim WBO title. He was elevated to full champion when Jermell Charlo battled Canelo Alvarez a few weeks ago. He will be defending as full champion for the first time in his home country.
While Tszyu and the boxing world have been waiting for a fight between he and Charlo, the newly crowned champion has reassured his critics he is focused on Mendoza. “He’s been my sole focus, I’m locked into taking him out and moving forward again. From what I’ve seen, his style can be awkward at times, and he throws from different angles, but I’m eager to unpack it on October 15th,” Said Tszyu.
‘I was hopeful the WBC would follow the WBO and elevate Mendoza, so we could unify but it is what it is and it’s still fight that fight fans are excited to see.”
The Australian detailed his plan for the future. “Mendoza first and then mega-fights,” he said. “Who knows how long that bloke Charlo is going to need to take this time after that performance, but knowing him it’ll be another 12 months and I’m not waiting around. Titles will come but I want the big names on my resume. I’m not waiting for anyone.”
Tszyu is motivated to prove himself in this title defense. “It’s a fight that excites me as with Charlo running off and doing his thing against Canelo for the cash,” he said.. “Mendoza was the only other guy in the division worth fighting.”
The champion has looked dominant in his last two fights with the other being a ninth round TKO over former champion Tony Harrison in March. He cannot sleep on Mendoza’s power or we could see the belt change hands again.
Mendoza (22-2, 16 KO) has won three straight having most recently defeated former interim champion Sebastina Fundora by a brutal seventh round KO in April. With the win he claimed the interim WBC junior middleweight belt and now looks to carry the momentum of three straight finishes into his first regular title fight. Prior to the Fundora win, he defeated former champion Jeison Rosario by fifth round KO.
The 29-year-old addressed the idea that he has more power than Tszyu. “The thing about me is I have power but I’m not just a power puncher. I don’t go in there trying to look for one shot. I’ll hurt you for 12 rounds. You know, old school, like I think of Miguel Cotto vs Mayorga — that was a 12th round last second knockout. I’m even content with that,” said Mendoza.
While he talked about how he has other skills than power punching, Mendoza will be looking for the knockout. “I do look for the knockout, I want to put on a big show. I think that’s why I even got called here to this beautiful country in the first place for this title fight. But I’m in there to put punishment on you for 12 rounds. Yeah, I have one-shot knockouts here and there, but you’ve seen my last few fights, it’s been the fifth round, sixth round, seven. And I carry the power late and I’m totally fine however long the fight needs to go for me to get that victory, that’s what I got to do.”
Mendoza talked about having to go into Tszyu’s home country to pull off the upset. “It’s all fuel. I’m using an entire country going against me on fight night as fuel. Nobody believes, man. Very few people actually believe that I can pull this off. Just like in my last fights. The comments don’t even get to me anymore. The last guy was supposed to kill me, and so was the guy before that. Fans are funny sometimes. I’m here to put on a great show and get that victory because the victory secures my family’s future. That’s what I’m focused on. I’m super motivated to accomplish that,” said Mendoza.
The challenger concluded, Whether it’s a knockout or decision, you can expect an explosive performance. At the end of the night, “And the new WBO super welterweight world champion, Brian “La Bala” Mendoza.”
The main card can be seen at 10:30pm ET on Showtime.
