Tim Tszyu has been frustrated in his efforts to get Jermell Charlo in the ring, but in the meantime, has seen his WBO interim super welterweight title turned into full champion status. He defends the belt for the first time this Sunday at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia, against dangerous American, Brian Mendoza.
Premier Boxing Champions promote Tszyu vs Mendoza, whilst SHOWTIME broadcast the card in the USA.
Tszyu (23-0, 17 KOs) is of course the son of the legendary Kostya Tszyu, and he has steadily built a solid career of his own.
After seeing his star rise in his home country of Australia, ‘The Soul Taker’ branched out into the USA in March last year, but had to get off the floor in the opening round before defeating Terrell Gausha in a close points success.
The 28-year-old’s last couple of fights have been back in his home country, and he took the interim WBO strap this March, having to work hard before grinding down Tony Harrison in nine rounds.
He only needed just over a minute in his most recent outing though, knocking Carlos Ocampo out inside a round in June and was elevated to full champion following Charlo’s decision to face Alvarez last month.
Mendoza (22-2, 16 KOs) seemed to be at a crossroads after losing a decision to Jesus Ramos Jr in September 2021, but his last two wins have been his best, a fifth round knockout of former unified world champion Jeison Rosario was followed by a superb seventh round knockout of Sebastian Fundora in April when well behind.
Prediction: Mendoza is on a roll, and durable, and will likely look to win early. If Tszyu can weather the early storm, he can grind Mendoza down late, or clearly on the scorecards.
Goodman faces Flores
New South Wales native, Sam Goodman is coming off a split decision win against Ra’eese Aleem in June, and he puts his IBF super bantamweight number one slot on the line against former world title challenger, Miguel Flores.
Prediction: Flores (25-4-1, 12 KOs) has won once in his last four outings, and that was an eight round split decision, so the likelihood is that Goodman (15-0, 7 KOs) can remove him from battle before the end of the scheduled twelve rounds.
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Remaining Undercard
In ten rounders, Sergei Vorobev (19-1, 13 KOs) can take the vacant IBF Pan Pacific super welterweight title with a points win against the tough Wade Ryan (21-11, 8 KOs) and Nathaniel May (22-3, 13 KOs) should claim the vacant IBF Australasian super featherweight title by outscoring Jackson Jon England (14-2, 8 KOs).
In eight round action, Amber Amelia (3-1, 1 KO) can get the better of Shanell Dargan (2-1-2) on points at super bantamweight, and Hassan Hamdan (6-0, 1 KO) should do the same at welterweight against Danvers Cuschieri (3-1, 2 KOs).
The sole four rounder comes at heavyweight, where Toese Vousiutu (5-1, 5 KOs) may need the distance to see off Julius Lloyd Long (18-26-1, 14 KOs).
