Australian boxing star Ebanie Bridges says Tim Tszyu is the best boxer in Australia, but she wouldn’t be surprised to see him suffer a defeat to Tony Harrison in their blockbuster showdown on Sunday.
IBF world champion Bridges counts Kostya Tszyu as one of her all-time favourite fighters and is looking forward to seeing his son fight for the .
Harrison, who has previously held the world title and is the only fighter to have beaten current undisputed champion Jermell Charlo, has more experience than Tszyu – and Bridges believes that will count.
‘I think Tim is the best boxer in Australia. I think he’s special,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘He doesn’t have the experience, though. He hasn’t had the same experience of, say, a Harrison or Charlo. I think his weakness is lack of experience against good opposition.’
Australian boxing star Ebanie Bridges says Tim Tszyu is the best boxer in Australia, but she wouldn’t be surprised to see lose on Sunday in their blockbuster showdown
Harrison, who has previously held the world title and beaten current champion Jermell Charlo, has more experience than Tszyu (pictured) – and Bridges believes that counts
Bridges believes Tszyu can beat Harrison (pictured) if he has the right game plan and works hard
Despite not fighting some of the very best opponents, the ‘Blonde Bomber’ has liked what she’s seen of the undefeated Aussie – especially his strength and control of range.
‘I think Tim will start slow. He’ll be working out his range and distance. He’s got great distance control,’ she said.
‘He’s strong. I also think he will be underestimated, because all Aussies are underestimated when they fight Americans. That could work for him. He’s strong and his punches are sharp and accurate.
‘If he’s got the right game plan and he works hard I’m sure he can win. I’m obviously backing Tim. Saying that, I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets beaten.’
Nedal ‘Skinny’ Hussein, who is a former Australian bantam and super bantamweight champion, is predicting that Tszyu will stop Harrison despite not being as polished a boxer.
‘I think Harrison is a better fighter and more battle-tested, but I think Tim will get a late stoppage,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I think Americans don’t travel too well. I think Tim has a lot of pressure – he’s very strong.
‘The first four rounds will be tricky. Harrison will be very standoffish. I see Tim getting an eighth, ninth, 10th, or 11th-round stoppage. I don’t think it goes 12.’
‘Skinny’ Hussein, who is a former Australian Bantam and Super Bantamweight champion, is predicting that Tszyu (pictured) will stop Harrison despite not being as polished a boxer
American superstar and undisputed world champion Errol Spence Jnr believes so strongly that Harrison (pictured) will beat Tszyu, he’s wagering $10,000 on the outcome
American superstar Errol Spence Jnr believes so strongly that Harrison will beat Tszyu, he’s wagering $10,000 on the outcome.
But Tszyu brushed off Spence’s boastful claims Harrison will cause an upset.
‘The guy’s a punk – that’s why,’ the Australian told Fox Sports when asked why he felt the 33-year-old had backed his fellow American.
‘And remember, this is the same person who also said Terrell Gausha was going to beat me in my last fight too. So what happened there Errol?’
Former two-division world champion Shakur Stevenson has also tipped his compatriot to beat Tszyu on Sunday.
‘Tony Harrison is going to beat him [Tszyu],’ the former WBO featherweight and super featherweight world champion said.
‘I don’t think that Tim dude is that good.
‘As long as Tony don’t get caught with a good shot [that would] hurt him, wobble him or get him out there […] it’s hard for anyone to beat Tony Harrison when he’s on his A game.’
