Lords of the ring: Jeff Horn and Tim Tsyzu ink date for Townsville showdown
Jeff Horn celebrates after demolishing Anthony Mundine. Tim Tsyzu will be a much harder not to crack. Photos: Getty
Former WBO welterweight world champion Jeff Horn will fight Tim Tsyzu in Townsville on August 26 in what looms as potentially one of the best attended and biggest boxing bouts of the year.
The domestic superfight between Queenslander Horn and Sydneysider and Tsyzu, the unbeaten world-ranked junior middleweight, was originally slated for April but postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Queensland government confirmed the rescheduled date for the bout which will be held at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Despite fears the fight would have to be held behind closed doors, organisers have announced up to 16,000 fans will be allowed to attend, and possibly even more should restrictions be lifted before the promotion.
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“We’ve managed to boost the overall capacity to to 32,000 with seats going on the ground,” said Horn’s promoter Dean Lonergan.
“With current Queensland restrictions allowing a maximum 25,000 people or up to 50 per cent of the stadium, it’s allowed to put 16,000 people in there with COVID restrictions.
“Thanks to the great work of the Queensland government we are looking forward to one of the biggest fights in the world to take place.
“Not many major fights around the world of this nature can take place because of crowd restrictions and the fact that they can’t generate enough revenue to put these fights on.”
This week marked the three-year anniversary of one of Australian sport's greatest moments – when a Brisbane teacher by the name of Jeff Horn took on and beat one of the greatest boxers of all time. | @McJoshmcclean pic.twitter.com/GrrRe0rnrA
— 10 News First Queensland (@10NewsFirstQLD) July 3, 2020
Horn (20-2) has never lost a professional fight in his home state.
“To finally have a new date and to know I’ll be fighting in Townsville in front of a home crowd is just great,” Horn said.
The fight will pit 32-year-old Horn against the much younger Tsyzu – the son of former light-welterweight world champion Kostya Tszyu, who won a non-title bout in Townsville in December 1997.
Tsyzu, 25, who has won all 15 of his professional fights, two of them in Queensland, said he is eager to face the more experienced Horn.
“I’m really excited for this fight,” Tsyzu said. “I hope to put on a great show for everyone.”
-AAP
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