Australia’s greatest ever boxer Jeff Fenech explains why he believes Tim Tszyu will be a better fighter than his legendary dad Kostya
- Jeff Fenech believes Tim Tszyu can eclipse his father Kostya
- Tszyu is on the cusp of a world title fight against Jermell Charlo
- Fenech is of the belief that Tszyu can be an Aussie boxing great
Jeff Fenech has boldly claimed that Tim Tszyu is capable of eclipsing his father Kostya’s achievements to become one of Australia’s best ever boxers.
Tszyu, 28. is on the cusp of a blockbuster unification fight against American star Jermell Charlo, with the Sydney-native required to defend his interim light middleweight titleagainst Carlos Ocampo first.
The unbeaten Australian is the son of former world champion Kostya, and has vowed to put on a show to set up a fight for the ages with Charlo later this year.
And hall-of-famer Fenech, arguably the greatest boxer in Australia’s history, has declared that the ‘Soul Taker’ has everything it takes to become one of the best to step in the ring.
‘To be honest I believe Tim will be one of the greats of Australian boxing,’ Fenech told News Corp.
Jeff Fenech believes Tim Tszyu has all the tools to become a boxing great in Australia
Tszyu takes on Carlos Ocampo this weekend and is on the cusp of a world title shot
‘Kostya was one of our greats but with all respect to Kostya, he was a great puncher, but apart from the power punch, I think Tim has got everything his dad has and more.
‘Tim is getting better and better and, for me, he is the total package.
‘It’s a big statement to say Tim can be better than Kostya, but he will certainly forge and create his own legacy and it won’t be because he is Kostya’s boy, that’s for sure.
‘People think he is there because of his dad but that’s rubbish, Tim has made it because he is Tim f***ing Tszyu — not his father’s son.’
The WBO has ordered Charlo to defend his belt against Tszyu before October, although that fight is at risk if the Aussie does not get the job done this weekend.
But Fenech is not concerned about any potential boilover on the Gold Coast.
‘Tim’s strength is that he fights like a Mexican, he punches more than anyone else and that’s why he will win this fight,’ Fenech said.
‘All Mexicans are the same. They will stand there and come forward and get hit.
‘Tim is in for the toughest fight of his career because Ocampo will come at him.
Australia boxing great Jeff Fenech (above) insists Tszyu can be an all-time legend
He also claimed that the youngster is better skilled than his famous father, Kostya Tszyu
‘But Tim is the classiest and fittest guy in his division and Ocampo will find that in the ring.
‘All Tim’s previous opponents dismiss him and think they can beat him, but even Harrison wasn’t used to Tim’s constant pressure and the volume of punches he throws.
‘Ocampo is a dangerous fighter and it’s the perfect build-up for Charlo.’
