The nice Johnny Lewis has anointed Tim Tszyu a world champion in ready, declaring the son of a gun primed to hitch his legendary father in boxing’s report books.
Tszyu takes on achieved American Tony Harrison at Sydney’s Qudos Financial institution Area on Sunday bidding to turn into solely the sixth second-generation boxer to seize a world title.
And 28 years after being in Kostya’s nook for his maiden world title win on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – when Tim was barely two months previous – Lewis is satisfied historical past will repeat.
“He’ll be up for it. Tim’s very assured, he at all times will get in there match to the hilt and he desires it very badly and I feel that shall be sufficient to get him over the road,” Lewis advised AAP on Saturday.
Having additionally guided Jeff Fenech to world titles in 4 completely different weight divisions, Lewis is definitely Australia’s most profitable boxing coach.
Regardless of Harrison (29-3-1, 21KO) boasting 21 knockout wins and being the one man to beat undisputed super-welterweight king Jermell Charlo, the veteran doesn’t imagine the previous WBC champion has sufficient energy to bother Tszyu.
However he says beginning robust is the important thing for the home-town favourite, who was dropped within the opening spherical of his US debut final 12 months towards Terrell Gausha in Minneapolis.
“These blokes, the place Tim is and the place all of them are, Tim’s in an excellent place to be. His youthfulness will play a giant half,” Lewis predicted.
“If Tim’s going OK on the midway mark, possibly they may be comfortable to cruise in. But when he goes all out, there’s each probability that Tim may cease him late.
“The factor is, I am fairly assured that Tim’s progress all through every battle will make him a winner both manner.
“If he is doing properly within the early rounds, then there isn’t any motive why Tim cannot placed on an onslaught later within the battle.”
Lewis says even when Tszyu loses for the primary time, it is win-win for the Sydneysider.
“He’ll be taught from this win, lose or draw,” he mentioned.
“Look, on paper, Harrison’s going to be the perfect fighter that he fought.
“However Tim at all times rises. He is been sat down a couple of occasions however he will get up. I do not suppose he is an actual huge puncher, Tim, however he is a hurtful puncher – and he is an excellent finisher.
“There have been a few fights there after I questioned if he was, however I actually do suppose he’s.
“Igor (uncle and coach Igor Goloubev) has finished a very good job with him.”
In a family-first, Tszyu’s youthful brother Nikita (4-0, 3KO) may also put his undefeated report on the road on the undercard towards Tasmanian hazard man Bo Belbin (7-0, 5KO).
“That is going to be a milestone second for us,” Nikita mentioned at Saturday’s weigh-in.
“A reminiscence that we’ll share for an eternity.”
