By Anthony Cocks
Former WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu (25-3, 18 KOs) will look to get back in the winner’s column when he takes on undefeated but little-known American Anthony Velasquez (18-0-1, 15 KOs) at the ICC Exhibition Centre in Sydney, Australia on December 17. The 31-year-old Australian has had a rough trot of it over the past two years, losing two of his previous four bouts, including two by stoppage. In a bid to rejuvenate his career, Tszyu has revamped his team, replacing his uncle and trainer Igor Goloubev with new coach Pedro Diaz.
The Velasquez fight, which will be contested over 10 rounds at a catchweight of 157 pounds, will be the first under the new pairing. “December 17 is my chance to get back on track,” said Tszyu, who now goes by the nickname ‘The Phoenix’, on Wednesday. “The past 18 months have tested me and humbled me, but coming home for this fight in Sydney has given me a new sense of clarity and purpose. “The Tszyu family has never lost on Australian soil and that legacy means everything to me. “I’m not the same fighter, despite what critics may say. I’m sharper, hungrier, and more driven because of what I’ve gone through.” In another comeback fight on the card, former world title challenger Sam ‘The Ghost’ Goodman (20-1, 8 KOs) will meet Tyler ‘The Wizard’ Blizzard (10-0, 4 KOs) over 10 heats. Goodman, 27, was last in action in August when he travelled to Saudi Arabia to unsuccessfully challenge WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball (23-0-1, 13 KOs), losing a unanimous decision. The other fights on the card are as follows.
Callum Peters vs Cody Beekin – 10 rounds
Australian Middleweight Title (vacant)
Koen Mazoudier vs Dominic Molinaro – 10 rounds
Australian Welterweight Title
Ahmad Reda vs Jomar Paliwen – 6 rounds, lightweight
Charlie Kazzi vs Blair Geraghty – 6 rounds, lightweight
Paulo Aokuso vs Shukrat Abdullaev – 6 rounds, light heavyweight
Blake Wells vs Quinton Smith – 6 rounds, middleweight
Dharringarra Trewhella vs Kya Sparks – 5 rounds, welterweight
The promoter is No Limit and the card will be broadcast on Main Event PPV in Australia.
