Tim Tszyu has successfully defended his WBO super welterweight belt for the first time against big-punching American Brian Mendoza with a unanimous points decision victory.
Tszyu produced a dominant performance to retain his world title on the Gold Coast against a dangerous opponent who hardly took a backward step throughout the fight.
Mendoza came out from the first bell with aggression, but Tszyu stayed calm and began to land his shots.
‘I didn’t expect this from him. I didn’t expect this dynamic to start the fight,’ Shawn Porter said in commentary.
‘I like this start from Mendoza. He needs to start fast.’
Tim Tszyu battered American Brian Mendoza to win with scores of 116-111, 116-112 and 117-111
Tszyu looked like he might finish his opponent at several times during the blockbuster bout
The Aussie picked his moments and began to rack up rounds against the American, including a huge uppercut in the fifth that cut his opponent open.
Tszyu again rocked Mendoza in the seventh with a similar shot, but somehow the American stayed on his feet.
The undefeated Aussie pushed for the finish late in the fight, but Mendoza managed to hang on to the final bell.
Tszyu was awarded the unanimous decision on all three judges scorecards 116-111, 116-112 and 117-111 in what is likely to be his last fight on Australian soil for some time.
‘Charlo!’ Tszyu called out after the fight, referring to his longtime rival.
‘Where you at, buddy?’
‘Come get it…’
‘Let’s prove to everyone who is king of this division.’
Tszyu called out bitter rival Jermell Charlo after the bout, insisting the pair should prove who is king of the division
Tszyu says the Gold Coast fight will be his last on Aussie soil before he heads to the States
When asked if he felt Charlo would take him up on the offer, Tszyu seemed certain he would.
‘For sure, man, he fought Canelo, the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world,’ he said.
‘He is the best at 154, but let’s prove to everyone who really is the king in the division.’
Tszyu has stated that this would be his last outing in Australia before he heads overseas for fights in Las Vegas. He affirmed this again after the win today.
‘It’s my last hooray, and we finished off with a bang and hopefully we can go to Vegas together,’ he said.
‘See you in Vegas!’