Tim Tszyu reveals Kostya advice, deadline for Charlo blockbuster... and takes cheeky dig at US rival

Tim Tszyu is a world champion now, albeit an interim one. But the Australian is confident this is just the beginning as he now turns his attention toundisputed champion Jermell Charlo.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, Tszyu said “all four belts” is the goal now after dismantling Tony Harrison with a brutal ninth-round stoppage.

“I feel like it’s an achievement,” Tszyu said.

“It feels great... but there’s a lot more to go. All four belts [is what I want].”

Tszyu was supposed to get his first shot at Charlo back in January, only for the American to pull out as he recovered from a hand injury.

It would have been easy for Tszyu to simply wait it out but instead he took a risk, preferring to stay active and challenge Harrison, who lays claim to being the only man to defeat Charlo.

There were plenty of “positives” Tszyu gained from doing just that, with the Australian telling reporters the fight with Charlo is “bigger” as a result of his dominant victory over Harrison.

“The whole world knows about it,” he said.

“All of this is invaluable experience for what’s ahead.”

What is ahead is Charlo, who was not overly impressed by what he saw from the Australian on Sunday, describing Tszyu as “a little flat”.

Tszyu though was not willing to give Charlo’s comments much thought and had a cheeky jab of his own to send back to the American.

“It’s just the pre-prep talk anyway,” he said.

“I wasn’t the one that was stuttering my words anyway. It was him.”

While Sunday’s fight ended in emphatic fashion, even Tszyu himself admitted he made a “lot of mistakes” and father Kostya also had a few pointers.

“Dad said, ‘Good job and well done. You made a couple of mistakes though’... far out man,” laughed Tszyu.

“Haters gonna hate. We caught up and he was real happy. I think it’s a big moment for him as well. The goal now is to be the best boxing family that ever lived.”

Speaking of family, brother Nikita also made a statement with a convincing TKO win over Bo Belbin, with Tim calling the event as a whole a “special moment in Aussie boxing history”.

“There hasn’t been many moments like that,” he added.

“From where the press conference was, the open workouts, the magnitude of the event, how many people came down, how many people were talking about the event. It’s crazy.”

No Limit CEO George Rose even admitted to getting emotional before the main event had started.

“I said to Tim on the way in that it was my favourite event that we’ve done,” Rose said.

“When Tim was walking out I was already crying before he event got to the ring. That moment, everything we put into it to make it a memorable event, I felt like Tim’s walkout was the moment where I felt like all the work was done and it was up to Tim to finish it for us.

“The crowd, the atmosphere in there, particularly for Tim’s fight, was off its head.”

It will be a very different experience for Tszyu when he faces Charlo, with the Australian pushing for the duo to fight in Las Vegas this July.

While Tszyu said he wants Charlo to be at his “best” and fully recovered from his hand injury, he also stressed he still wants to be back in the ring as soon as possible.

“I want him to be the best and whenever he’s ready... but mid-year,” Tszyu said.

“Let’s not get excited and say let’s have another break. We’re not having a break here, I’ll have a week or two off but July minimum, minimum.

“I’ll be based in America. That’s where the levels go up.”

Charlo said on Sunday that he will be a “different animal” to Harrison inside the ring, warning Tszyu that the Australian won’t be able to take his punch.

That is nothing Tszyu doesn’t already know though, with the 28-year-old preparing for knockout power from Charlo when they do eventually square off.

“I think Harrison is a much quicker puncher,” he said.

“His speed and IQ and sense of timing and defence, he’s able to see shots. Charlo has got a different type of style. He’ll go for that KO, so you’ve got to watch him for different things.”