Despite suffering a dog bite that required emergency surgery, Tim Tszyu says it will be business as usual as he prepares for his June 18 world-title fight against Carlos Ocampo.
Tim Tszyu has declared his world-title blockbuster on the Gold Coast is going ahead despite requiring emergency surgery after being attacked by a bull terrier.
Speaking exclusively to News Corp, Tszyu insists he is not in danger of withdrawing from his maiden world-title defence against Mexican Carlos Ocampo at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on June 18.
There were fears Tszyu (22-0, 16KO) could be forced to pull out of the Ocampo (35-2, 23KO) bout after a freak dog attack saw him rushed to hospital with an arm wound last Saturday night.
The 28-year-old was tight-lipped about the incident, but is adamant a course of antibiotics and a few days off training will not derail what shapes as his final fight before a planned unification blockbuster against Jermell Charlo.
“I’m all good, the fight is going ahead,” Tszyu said.
“I don’t want to say too much about what happened because there’s no issues.
“I feel fine.
“There’s nothing to worry about, I’ll be OK to fight.”
Tszyu was able to see the lighter side of the situation after news broke of the injury on Tuesday, posting a photo on Instagram of a Chihuahua with the caption: “Don’t worry. Round 2 coming up!”
It came after the interim world champion was attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier at a friend’s house party in Sydney last Saturday night, and was rushed to hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery.
It’s understood the Staffie latched onto Tszyu’s right arm, and after some time let go, revealing a large gash on the fighter’s forearm.
Tszyu could resume training as early as this week and undeterred by his bull-terrier attack, the unbeaten Sydneysider is bracing for another dog-eat-dog Mexican “war” with Ocampo.
“It will be a dogfight,” Tszyu said of his upcoming opponent.
“I will be in the trenches like a dog … the pitbull is going to come out.
“Ocampo is tough and it will be like punching a brick wall. My hands have to be ready for a beating.
“But you know how I am. Every fight I’ve had, I’ve never taken one step back.
“Every fight is a risk. This will be a tougher fight than when I beat (Tony) Harrison (to win the interim world title in March).
“It will be a Mexican stand-off and we’ll see who takes the first step back.
“It won’t be me.
“A clear message will be sent out on fight night. I will put Ocampo away in devastating fashion.”
While Tszyu’s surgery went well, he must take antibiotics to prevent any infection from the bite, and usually patients are advised to let the injury heal for two weeks.
Tszyu does not have that kind of time to prepare for Ocampo, a former world title challenger who has fought Errol Spence Jr and Sebastian Fundora, and is a major threat to his title belt and shot at undisputed king Charlo later this year.
Tszyu would be having his toughest sparring sessions this week and next in preparation for Ocampo, but that preparation will now be hampered.
Tszyu’s promoter, No Limit Boxing chief George Rose, hopes the dog attack does not open the door for a Mexican boilover.
“Like everyone, I was shocked and worried when I first heard the news,” he said.
“It’s certainly not the ideal preparation anytime a fighter ends up in hospital a few weeks out from a world title fight but the best news right now is that Tim is doing OK.
“He has the best and most experienced team around him in world boxing.
“They have reassured me he’ll be more than ready on June 18 to take on Ocampo.
“If they’re confident, I’m confident.”