Australian boxing royalty Tim Tszyu has a colossal battle on his hands when he fights Mexican star Carlos Ocampo – an even bigger one than ex-world champion Tony Harrison.
‘I think it’s a different challenge,’ Tszyu told BoxingScene.com.
‘I think when it comes to the actual fight, it’s gonna be a tougher fight than against Harrison.
‘You’re gonna be more tired, it’s gonna be more physical, rather than more of a thinking type of fight with Tony Harrison.
‘Every fight is a different challenge.’
Aussie boxing superstar Tim Tszyu (pictured) believes Sunday’s clash with Mexican Carlos Ocampo will be harder than when he fought former world champion Tony Harrison in Sydney
Which is either hyperbole to build the fight up, or an actual fair appraisal of the two men Tszyu’s life has become enmeshed with this year.
Tszyu (22-0, 16 KOs), captured the WBO interim title in current superstar Jermell Charlo’s absence in March by stopping former champion Tony Harrison in Australia in the 9th round.
It was a fight for the ages and Tszyu was relentless with his brutal assault on the much taller American who came with credentials rarely matched having been the only person to ever beat Charlo.
So for Tszyu to say this fight with Ocampo will be harder, who is (35-2, 23 KOs) on home soil in Broadbeach, Australia is rather fascinating.
Mexican challenger Carlos Ocampo (on right) stands nearly 10cm taller than Aussie Tszyu at Saturday’s weigh in
Ocampo is considerably taller than Tszyu also standing at 184cm – Tszyu is 175cm with a reach of 179cm.
The Aussie gave away height to Harrison and experience when they fought too.
Harrison stands at 185cm and has a reach of 193cm, but that didn’t stop the Sydneysider ploughing through his set up.
And many people, especially the corporate bookies all over the world, believe the power-punching son of legendary world champ Kostya Tszyu will do the same against Ocampo.
He’s a raging hot $1.15 favourite.
‘Stylistically, I think it’s a tougher fight due to just his style,’ Tszyu mused.
‘He’s tough and he’s open, but at the same time he’s not. And you don’t expect the shots from all different angles.
‘That’s always hard when you don’t have a conventional boxer in front of you.’
Tony Harrison in red trunks was also taller but Tszyu annihilated him in Sydney earlier this year
Ocampo does come to the fight with a rather impressive background check.
Hailing from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, he won silver in the 2009 and 2011 Mexican National Olympiads.
Known in his homeland as ‘Chema’ the man with very speedy hands turned pro in 2012 and ostensibly fought in Mexico to start his career.
In his home ground, he blazed away as all star Mexicans do. He was on a win streak tear of 22-fight victories before he took on the undefeated Errol Spence Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) for the IBF welterweight title in 2018.
Ocampo lost via a savage first-round knockout and had to work his way back up the ladder.
Which he has done now having had 35 fights for just two losses.
It’s interesting to note that his two losses have been for world crowns as is the case again when he steps in against Tszyu.
Tim Tszyu (pictured) is of the opinion his bout against Ocampo will be his toughest to date but he wants to savour the taste of victory again
If Tszyu triumphs over the rangy Mexican, he is expected to challenge Charlo for his IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO belts later this year in a unification contest everyone wants to see.
And that, given Charlo’s extraordinary press conference outbursts yesterday in regards to Tszyu, would be about the biggest and most anticipated world title fight of the year.
Charlo claimed that Tszyu only beat Harrison in Sydney because the salt in Sydney’s tap water slowed the American down.
It was a bizarre rant to many, so, by way of comparison, Ocampo has been drinking Queensland tap water this week – as has Timothy.
