Tim Tszyu slams ‘fragile’ rival in first meeting as US star makes stunning reveal

Tim Tszyu has declared his upcoming fight against Tony Harrison will be a tougher challenge than world champion Jermell Charlo.

Harrison is the only man to have beaten Charlo, however the undisputed super welterweight champion won their rematch with an 11th round knockout.

Tszyu’s planned title fight with Charlo in January fell through when the latter was injured in training and Harrison stepped up to challenge for the now-interim WBO title.

The American has repeatedly told Tsyzu he’s in over his head for their fight on March 12 and declared after touching down in Australia that it will be a short fight.

But the Australian bit back after their first face-to-face meeting at the premiere of Creed III in Sydney on Tuesday night.

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“He knows that’s not going to happen, if it goes past four he’s going to be in trouble,” Tsyzu said.

“My aim is to grab him by the neck and pull him down into the ocean and just let him sink – drown him.

“It will start from Round 1 and we’ll see when he gets some air. He’s going to want to tap, he’s going to wish it was UFC.

“He’s tall but my sparring partners are much taller, he looks fragile. You can just see it, I’ve been sparring big, strong unbreakable blokes and he looks like I could crack him in half.”

Tszyu came good on his promise to deny Harrison a hug when the duo squared off at the movie premiere.

But Tsyzu did concede it would be the toughest fight of his career and emphasised Harrison is “100 per cent” a better fighter than Charlo.

“I think he’s got superior skills. He’s got a good jab, good movement and is hard to hit, slick, always moving. Different type of opponent to anyone I’ve ever faced,” Tszyu said.

“I’m not underestimating him, this is going to be a tough fight. I know that.

“He’s got better skills than Charlo, he beat Charlo and was winning his last fight with Charlo (before the knockout).

“But styles make fights, just because you’re (boasting) superior skill, it doesn’t mean you’re going to win all the time, there’s so much in this boxing game.

“The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward, quite simple. Aim for the stars.”

Harrison wasn’t phased to be fighting in Tsyzu’s backyard and said he didn’t even feel jet lagged, emphasising he went for a 10km run as soon as he arrived at his hotel.

“I’m confident anywhere I go, just give me a ring and give me a time and I’m confident,” Harrison said.

“I live for moments like this. I’m going to beat his arse. I’m going to make a short night of it.”