Tim Tszyu sent a message to world by TKO'ing Tony Harrison to become the interim WBO super welterweight champion â but not everyone was impressed, it seems.
The undisputed king of the 154-pound division, Jermell Charlo, has given his honest thoughts on Tszyu's performance.
Upon seeing the fight, Charlo has claimed that the Aussie "can't take my punch".
Tim, son of boxing royalty Kostya Tszyu, followed his legendary father's footsteps and won his first world title.
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The hometown hero dominated the fight, finishing Harrison in the ninth round courtesy of some deadly uppercuts.
Tszyu will now face Charlo in what promises to be a mouth-watering clash, although the American only sees their clash going one way.
âHe was impressive. He did what he had to do at home,â Charlo said of Tszyu's performance on Showtime.
âHe was a little flat to me but my movement, my style and my power will make him do completely different things. When I get my [left] hand right and get back into the ring for training, put that tape in. That will work.â
He added: âThis is exactly what we had seen
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âHe comes forward but is not as fast. Heâs strong, of course, but arenât we all? Iâm a different animal in there than Tony.
âIâm a different fighter than Tony. You canât compare me and try to compare Tonyâs skills in boxing. He didnât dog it out. He didnât bring that dog in him.
âIf he wanted to fight me, heâd have to bring more dog in him. But Tim is next and thatâs who we had before the injury so itâs not like Iâm not prepared already.â
Tszyu was initially meant to fight Charlo in a mandatory bout before the American sustained an injury.
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Wanting to remain active, Tszyu decided to take the match-up with Harrison â leaving the ring with a belt wrapped round his waist.
But with an undisputed title defence now looming, Charlo has given a damning assessment on his Australian counterpart's ability.
âHe doesnât really show a lot of athleticism to me,â Charlo said, per New York Postâs Jared Schwartz.
âWhen youâve got skills, and youâve got styles and youâve got power all together, you get four belts. Heâs going to be a tough fight because heâs coming forward, but I think heâs perfect for my style.
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âI know he canât take my punch, because I just know my punch is different... It just made me want to fight, just get this over with, shut him up, Iâve shut a lot of them up, itâs just another one.
âHeâs going to do the same thing. Heâs not going to change much.â