Tim Tszyu Aims To Win World Titles At 154, 160 and 168, Says His Dream Fight Is Gennady Golovkin
If Tim Tszyu can achieve each of his lofty goals, he will perhaps surpass his father in terms of greatness. The son of the great Kostya Tszyu aims to become a world champion at three weights, 154, 160 and 168 pounds, while he says his absolute dream fight is a fight with middleweight king Gennady Golovkin. Tszyu, who will fight Dennis Hogan this Wednesday, spoke with NEWS.com.au, and the unbeaten 26 year old went into detail about his long term goals.
“My dream fight would be against GGG,” Tszyu, 17-0(13) said. “He’s been my idol for the last five, six years. At one stage I idolised him and then at another stage I said, ‘You know that, that would be a fight I’d love to take one day.’ He’s in his late 30s….you never know [if the fight will ever happen). With these Covid situations and all this stuff. We’re doing good stuff in Australia so you never know.”
A number of superstars have boxed in Australia over the years, including the one and only Manny Pacquiao (who actually lost his one and only fight in Australia, being upset by Jeff Horn back in July of 2017), and it is not out of the question that Triple-G might consider doing so himself. GGG, who recently made a record 21st middleweight title defence, has no confirmed fight for his next defence. But would it be too soon for Tszyu to fight GGG at this stage of his career? First, Tszyu needs to win his first world title, which he says will come a 154, before the strain of making weight forces his move up to middleweight. Assuming he takes care of Hogan this week, Tszyu will be a step closer to a fight with either Brian Castano, the reigning WBO champ at 154, and/or Jermell Charlo, who is the current WBC/WBA/IBF champ at 154.
“It’s another step closer to (a world title),” Tszyu said of the Hogan fight. “Dennis Hogan has been in with Charlo, [Jaime] Munguia, the top boys in the (middleweight) division, and he’s given them trouble. So it’s going to be good to see how I compare against him to the way they fought. I’ve been keeping my eyes on these boys. They’re the boys I want. Charlo especially because he’s got all the belts. But of course, there’s Castano who has the belt I want to fight for, because I’m the number-one contender.”
Castano of Argentina defeated Patrick Teixeira in February, taking the WBO belt. Teixeira was all set to defend against Tszyu but now the unbeaten contender is focusing on Castano, who is unbeaten himself. Tszyu might never get that dream fight with Golovkin, but as good as he’s looked in his 17 fights, Tszyu seems destined to win at least one world title. But this will not be enough. Tszyu wants to become a three-weight king. Can he do it? Let’s see how he gets in with Hogan, 28-3-1(7). The 36-year-old from Ireland may not be a big puncher, but he is tough, experienced and he has been stopped just once, this by Charlo last time out. This fight is indeed a good test for Tszyu. I wonder if GGG will be watching on Wednesday?
