Tim Tszyu became the interim WBO super welterweight champion at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, stopping former world champion Tony Harrison in the ninth round on Saturday.
Tszyu (22-0, 16 KOs) was due to meet undisputed champion, Jermell Charlo, in January, but the American broke a hand. Harrison (29-4-1, 21 KOs) had briefly served as WBC champion in December 2018, before losing to Charlo in a rematch and was coming off an impressive wide points win against Sergio Garcia last April.
It was an impressive performance by Tszyu, but ‘Super Bad’ did make a bright start, landing several jabs.
The home favourite landed with some uppercuts in the second, but the third was a dominant round for Tszyu, as a right hand drove Harrison towards the ropes.
More power shots from the 28-year-old highlighted rounds four and five, and his constant pressure was clearly doing damage.
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Although Harrison had a decent seventh, he was many trying to fan the flames, and after Tszyu cranked more pressure up in the eighth, he closed the show in style a round later.
Harrison was hurt with several right hands, and Tszyu went to work, landing with multiple vicious uppercuts that finally dropped the visitor.
The 32-year-old rose unsteadily, and that was enough for the referee to end the battle.
Tszyu was quick to call out Charlo after a career-best win.
Goodman overcomes Doheny
On the undercard, Sam Goodman (14-0, 7 KOs) retained his IBF Intercontinental and WBO Oriental super bantamweight titles, taking a ten round decision win against former world champion, TJ Doheny (23-4, 17 KOs).
Scores of 100-89, 98-92 and 97-92 confirmed a dominant victory for the New South Wales native.
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Aokuso grinds past Gonzalez
2020 Olympian Paulo Aokuso (4-0, 3 KOs) secured his first title, and was taken the distance for the first time, winning the vacant IBO Inter-Continental light heavyweight crown with a wide points win against Yunieski Gonzalez (21-6, 17 KOs).
Scores were 100-89, 99-90 and 97-92 in Aokuso’s favour.
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Murdock marches on
Rohan Murdock claimed the vacant IBF Australasian super middleweight title with a split verdict win against Isaac Hardman.
Tallies of 97-92 and 96-93 won the fight for Murdock (27-2, 19 KOs), against a score of 97-92 for Hardman (13-2, 11 KOs).
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Remaining Undercard
Koen Mazoudier (11-2-1, 4 KOs) kept his WBA Oceana super welterweight title, but had to settle for a draw against Ben Mahoney (13-0-1, 7 KOs) over ten.
A 97-94 tally for Mazoudier, and a 97-93 nod for Mahoney was redundant, as a 95-95 card ensured a draw.
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Imam Khataev (3-0, 3 KOs) won the battle of the unbeatens, stopping Gi Sung Gwak (4-1, 3 KOs) in the second of a scheduled eight at cruiserweight, and at super welterweight, Nikita Tszyu (5-0, 4 KOs) took a fourth round stoppage against Bo Belbin (7-1, 5 KOs) in their six rounder.
Featherweight Shannell Dargan (2-1-2) won a decision over four against Courtney Martin (1-1).
