Former world champions have their say on Tim Tszyu’s performance against Brian Mendoza
Tim Bradley Jr., Paulie Malignaggi, and Chris Algieri analyzed Tim Tszyu’s performance against Brian Mendoza on a ProBox TV talk show this week.
Photos from Zain Mohammed and Grant Trouville/NO LIMIT BOXING
Undefeated Australian superstar Tim Tszyu broke down tough contender Brian Mendoza in his first defense of his WBO Junior Middleweight World Title in a 12-round decision win on SHOWTIME® on Saturday, October 14 from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland.
It was a patient performance for Tszyu, who had stopped his two previous opponents in devastating fashion, but couldn’t put the finishing touches on Mendoza. While he didn’t stop him, 'The Soul Taker' landed a number of hard, highlight-reel shots, hurting Mendoza several times to win by scores of 116-111, 116-112 and 117-111.
The 28-year-old hometown hero remained undefeated at 24-0 with 17 KOs and landed 38% of his power punches, while Mendoza landed 31.6% of power punches, according to CompuBox (98 to 71). He then called for unified champion Jermell Charlo next, but is he ready for that fight? Former world champs and ProBox TV pundits Bradley,, Malignaggi and Algieri weighed in with their opinions:
Timothy Bradley Jr
Former world champion and Hall of Famer
“It just all comes down to how [Jermall Charlo] comes down from [super middleweight back to junior middleweight]. If he can make that weight, maybe have a small title defense or so, and then fight Tim Tszyu, that would help serve [Charlo] if he were to fight Tim Tszyu.”
“Tim Tszyu is ready for a Charlo. I think the fight is still a bit dangerous. I am not sure what Charlo we are going to get if he is coming back down from 168-pounds to 154 [lbs], you got to put some respect on Charlo’s name. He is still a champion there. He can still punch.”
Chris Algieri
Former WBO juinor welterweight world champion
“It is a very good match-up [between] Charlo and Tszyu, but I don’t think that will happen awhile. What is going to be next for Tim Tszyu is really the question?”
“If [Charlo] is to make it back to 154 [lbs] he is going to need a fight before fighting Tim Tszyu, because he has to feel comfortable at that weight, but I am telling you going backwards on a scale is a very difficult thing to do after the age of thirty.”
Paulie Malignaggi
Former two-division world champion
“One thing I have noticed [Tim Tszyu] does very well, despite not [using] a jab, he has a sort of change of speed I have noticed. He sort of sneaks up on you then he rushes you. He has subtle distance changes. [Tszyu] has a very, very good command of the distance.”
“You know who Tim Tszyu reminds me of? I am going to come out with a random name, and people will think it is random, but I used to spar this kid, Ray Beltran. Ray Beltran used have this kid of style where he was the only guy in my life that made we question my jab without being able to jab back at me.”
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