‘Don’t want a ballet recital’: Tszyu rival branded ‘f***ing laughable’ as bizarre ring complaint revealed

American Tony Harrison has been branded “f***ing laughable” after suggesting the boxing ring set to be used for Sunday’s WBO world title blockbuster – and pieced together on top of a boat this week — is too small.

In a bizarre twist to Tim Tszyu’s first world title tilt, Fox Sports Australia can reveal promoters No Limit have been approached about increasing the size of their championship ring following dramas at their Monday fight launch.

No Limit CEO George Rose says he was approached by Team Harrison during a Sydney Harbour promotion – where the ring to be used inside Qudos Bank Arena was set up on top of a large cruise boat.

As the vessel cruised around, both Tszyu and Harrison were called into the ring for interviews and then a unique face off with the Sydney Harbour Bridge used as a backdrop.

After proceedings finished however, Rose says both Harrison and his trainer, older brother LJ, fronted him to question if the ring was only being used for promotions, with both men telling him it felt small.

While the standard measurement for boxing rings is 20 feet by 20 feet, promoters are able to move either side of that mark within reason.

Several years ago however, a Mexican main event was canned after a fighter, who wanted to box and move, arrived to find a canvas floor measuring just 15 by 15 feet.

Last year British fighter Billy Joe Saunders also threatened to withdraw from his hyped showdown against Canelo Alvarez inside Texas’s famed AT&T Stadium – suggesting the 20-foot ring be increased to 22-feet.

On Monday’s cruise, the Harrison boys said the ring felt undersized, which would hint at a measurement of around 18 by 18 feet.

However, Rose insisted the squared circles used by No Limit were not too small.

He added the company who erected the ring for the Sydney Harbour cruise boat would be the same one used at Homebush, and said it would definitely hit 20 by 20 feet.

“So for them to even think about requesting a bigger ring, it’s f***ing laughable,” Rose fumed.

“The ring we used Monday, it’s the same size we’ve had for all our fights. So I don’t know what they’re talking about.”

So you won’t be going bigger?

“We don’t want a chess match,” Rose continued.

“We don’t want a ballet recital.

“We want warfare.

“And if Tony thinks the ring is small without Tim in there hunting him, I can only imagine how small he’s going to think it is come Sunday.”

Asked if the tape measure may need to come out on fight night, Rose laughed: “They can ask but I guarantee you that ring won’t be getting any bigger.

“Just as it won’t be growing legs.

“Not on my watch.

“But who knows? Maybe the Harrison boys were still suffering jet lag (when they made the comments).

“Or perhaps it’s the first chink in their armour.

“Or maybe it could just be another talkative Tony Harrison trick.

“My only hope is that he stands and trades with Tim until someone’s head hits the canvas.”

Speaking earlier this week, LJ Harrison revealed the secret to beating a pressure fighter like Tszyu was to move, stressing “you can’t sit in one spot”.

“There are two things when you’ve got a guy pressuring,” coach Harrison said.

“And this isn’t only for Tim and Tony, but boxing period — it really is jabs and angles.

“A guy like Tim, he grows the more he feels he’s on you. His ego, his confidence … he gets a boost out of that.

“So when you fight anyone who pressures, you have to use your jabs, use your feints, use your angles.

“You can’t sit in one spot.

“Have to be in shape to move.

“Because you can’t let the opponent get his feet set.

“If you get to that point where Tim can control his feet getting set, it’s going to be a long night for us.

“He will probably come out on top.

“But if we do our game plan right, then it will be us who finishes on top.”