Roy Jones Jr thoroughly impressed with world champ from down under
Four-division world champion, Roy Jones Jr, has labelled one current champion as ‘something special’, as his fight date for a second defence of his world title looms.
Tim Tszyu was crowned WBO super-welterweight champion back in September after Jermell Charlo was stripped of the title for entering the ring to fight Canelo Alvarez. Immediately, the Aussie defended the belt against Brian Mendoza and now Tszyu is poised to return to action once again.
The undefeated power-puncher will take on former unified welterweight king, Keith Thurman, at the end of the month, looking to join Manny Pacquiao in an elite club and become just the second man to defeat ‘One Time’. However, Jones Jr told Boxing Scene that, although Tszyu is special, he could be in for a tough battle if Thurman’s power translates to the 154lb scene.
“If he can carry his punch up, he’s going to be a problem. But Tim Tszyu is a different animal. Tim Tszyu is something special. He reminds me a lot of his dad, [Kostya Tszyu]. His dad was always something special even before people knew who he was.
“I met him back in the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow, I knew then he was going to be something special. His son is also something special. You can’t go up against Tim Tszyu and not bring your punch with you, because Tim Tszyu is a problem already. So if Keith can bring his punch with him, then he has a good chance. We’ll find out if Tim Tszyu can take a punch.”