Latest news with #Tszyu
The Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Liam Paro fight: Paro to move up to welterweight, turning down super-lightweight world title eliminator
Liam Paro will give up his IBF super-lightweight world title eliminator fight with Mexico's Lindolfo Delgado and move up to welterweight. After making the 140-pound (63.5kg) limit for 10 straight years, Code Sports understands the Queenslander is now struggling to make the weight class and will move up a division. Paro is ranked fifth at super-lightweight with The Ring, and is in the top five with the WBO, IBF and WBC. The move to 147 pounds (66.7kg) means he won't join Kostya Tszyu in becoming a two-time super-lightweight world champion, but opens up the possibility of big-money bouts against the likes of Rolando 'Rolly' Romero, Brian Norman Jr and Ryan Garcia. Liam Paro destroyed Johnathan Navarro. Picture: No Limit Boxing The other big names in the mix are WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios, who held onto his title with a draw against the great Manny Pacquiao in the headline fight of Tim Tszyu's loss to Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas. Paro has even spoken about one day facing modern day great Pacquiao at some stage, telling Fox Sports, 'I'd love that fight. 'Manny, he's one of my favourite fighters. And to have his name on my resume would be something special.' The move up to one of boxing's glamour divisions is in line with turning 'The Prodigy' into Australia's next PPV boxing star, alongside Tim and Nikita Tszyu. A Cowboys diehard, there have even been preliminary talks of having Paro fight in Las Vegas on the same weekend that North Queensland play Newcastle in the 2026 season opener in Sin City. Mario Barrios (L) and Manny Pacquiao (R) fought to a draw in their WBC welterweight world title fight in Las Vegas. Picture:Paro most recently scored a thunderous fifth round stoppage win over Johnathan Navarro in his Australian homecoming in Cairns in June. That bout was his first on home soil since his first round knockout of Brock Jarvis in Brisbane in 2022. Since then, the 29-year-old knocked out the highly touted Montana Love before scoring one of the biggest boilovers of 2024 with a unanimous decision world title win over Subriel Matias. He relinquished the IBF world title in a split decision defeat to slick American Richardson Hitchens in December before his Far North Queensland homecoming in June. Paro had been linked to super-lightweight bouts with Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz, Romero and Delgado, but his team is understood to see more of a future at welterweight. Paro has been loosely pencilled in to fight again in September. Brendan Bradford Content producer Brendan Bradford is a sports writer for CODE Sports. He primarily covers combat sports, league, union, cycling and athletics. Brendan has worked in sports media for a decade, covering world title fights, World Cups, Grand Slams and Spring Tours. @1bbradfo Brendan Bradford
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Liam Paro to turn down world title eliminator and move up a division, eyes off big-money bouts
Liam Paro will give up his IBF super-lightweight world title eliminator fight with Mexico's Lindolfo Delgado and move up to welterweight. After making the 140-pound (63.5kg) limit for 10 straight years, Code Sports understands the Queenslander is now struggling to make the weight class and will move up a division. Paro is ranked fifth at super-lightweight with The Ring, and is in the top five with the WBO, IBF and WBC. The move to 147 pounds (66.7kg) means he won't join Kostya Tszyu in becoming a two-time super-lightweight world champion, but opens up the possibility of big-money bouts against the likes of Rolando 'Rolly' Romero, Brian Norman Jr and Ryan Garcia. The other big names in the mix are WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios, who held onto his title with a draw against the great Manny Pacquiao in the headline fight of Tim Tszyu's loss to Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas. Paro has even spoken about one day facing modern day great Pacquiao at some stage, telling Fox Sports, 'I'd love that fight. 'Manny, he's one of my favourite fighters. And to have his name on my resume would be something special.' The move up to one of boxing's glamour divisions is in line with turning 'The Prodigy' into Australia's next PPV boxing star, alongside Tim and Nikita Tszyu. A Cowboys diehard, there have even been preliminary talks of having Paro fight in Las Vegas on the same weekend that North Queensland play Newcastle in the 2026 season opener in Sin City. Paro most recently scored a thunderous fifth round stoppage win over Johnathan Navarro in his Australian homecoming in Cairns in June. That bout was his first on home soil since his first round knockout of Brock Jarvis in Brisbane in 2022. Since then, the 29-year-old knocked out the highly touted Montana Love before scoring one of the biggest boilovers of 2024 with a unanimous decision world title win over Subriel Matias. He relinquished the IBF world title in a split decision defeat to slick American Richardson Hitchens in December before his Far North Queensland homecoming in June. Paro had been linked to super-lightweight bouts with Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz, Romero and Delgado, but his team is understood to see more of a future at welterweight. Paro has been loosely pencilled in to fight again in September.
Perth Now
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Summit fever': Tszyu intent on climbing to top again
A climbing expert claims Tim Tszyu has fallen victim to a classic case of "summit fever" following the Australian's latest world-title defeat in the US. Tszyu is vowing to punch on in "pursuit of greatness", despite calls for the former WBO super-welterweight world champion to put away the gloves for the sake of his welfare. After being dropped only twice in his first 24 professional fights, Tszyu has been knocked down five times and heavily concussed in two bloody losses to Sebastian Fundora either side of a brutal beat-down from Bakhram Murtazaliev in the past 16 months. "When I first started this sport, what I said was that I wanted to get to the very, very top and I didn't mind crashing and burning on the way up," a battered and blue Tszyu told fans in a social media post. "Sitting here now, we did crash and burn. "But we still move forward. Some things go your way, some things don't. "What happened last weekend, it didn't go my way, but we still move forward." But Ben Donnan, who has been studying climbing all his life after his uncle lost his to "summit fever" trying to scale Papua New Guinea's highest mountain 54 years years ago, says Tszyu's obsession to "move forward" so hastily is behind his dramatic fall from grace. "In the mountain climbing industry, the aim is to climb to a series of camps to get to the top and come back down alive," Donnan told AAP. "You've got to go to base camp and then you've got camp three, camp two, camp one and then you've got summit camp - the most important camp. "It is the harshest climbing you could possibly do and it usually means you've got to be up before everyone else because everyone else wants to climb too. "Everything needs to be right too, making sure that the window's right, so the weather window, making sure your team's right, everyone's healthy and ready to climb. "You've got all your packing, your oxygen, food, medical equipment and all the checks are right, meaning you're ready to go to the very top, plant the flag and and then get the hell back down without dying. "And most importantly, if you encounter a storm on the mountain - and a storm can also mean an injury, a broken leg, whatever - you need to retreat immediately, even if it means going all the way back to base camp and aborting the entire operation." Donnan maintains Tszyu's "storm" was walking into Fundora's elbow in their first fight in March, 2024, and suffering an horrific head gash that his corner could not stop bleeding. "An injury for a climber can be devastating - fatal - and Tim copping an accidental elbow should have meant his whole team descending," he said. "He hit a storm, massive turbulence. He should have ended his season last year instead of rushing back to ascend again to plant his flag at the summit. "All he needed to do was go back down, deacclimatise and then go back through the process of climbing to the top of the mountain." Donnan believes Tszyu has all the skills to reach the top again, but hopes the 30-year-old takes his time. Tszyu insists he will continue trying to climb the ranks again, but his No Limit Boxing promoter George Rose also says the fighter's health must come first. "Then get back on the bike and decide what route he wants to take," Rose said.
Perth Now
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
'Melts my heart': baby joy fuels ring monster Tszyu
Nikita Tszyu has issued a disturbing warning to the boxing world as he plots to restore battered family pride. Tszyu will return to the ring in Sydney on August 20, exactly a month after his older, former world champion brother Tim was bashed into submission by Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas. While Tim's future appears uncertain following a third straight loss in the US, Nikita remains unbeaten and reckons he will carry even more motivation when he makes his comeback from a 12-month lay-off as a doting first-time father. The 27-year-old and his wife, also named Nikita, welcomed daughter Curiosity to the world late last month. "It's an emotional journey," Tszyu told AAP in Las Vegas. "Yeah, very beautiful seeing something that you created. She melts my heart." With eight KOs from 10 fights, the undefeated knockout merchant dubbed "The Butcher" delivered a chilling message to his rivals when asked if being a dad would make him an even better boxer. "What I've noticed is the more love I feel at home, the more hatred I feel for the rest of the world and I think it's going to be the strongest thing for me, getting these children," Tszyu said, adding that his work-life balance was perfect. "My wife, she's all on top of it all. "So when it comes to night time, she's taking care of her. She understands that I need to rest, I need to recover and that's what's feeding our family. "So she's full-time mum, (offering) 24-hour full-time care and I can help out wherever I can. "But, ultimately, I need to focus on my trainings and my recoveries as well." Tszyu carried the pain of a hand injury through multiple victories before opting for hand surgery following a ninth-round stoppage of fellow Australian Koen Mazoudier in Sydney last August. An opponent for his comeback bout is yet to be determined, but Tszyu says Tim and Hall of Famer dad Kostya's accomplishment as a rare father-son duo to become world champions continue to also fuel him with motivation. "It's eye-opening seeing them," he said. "Yeah, it is definitely motivating and there's a lot of sense of pride that I feel that we come from the same gene pool."
Sydney Morning Herald
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Boxing: Tszyu taken to hospital after loss to Fundora, Pacquiao earns draw in comeback fight
Latest posts Just as the great Manny Pacquiao was entering the ring at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at the age of 46, Tim Tszyu was being rushed from the arena to hospital. It meant Tszyu didn't get a chance to see what true greatness looks like. This was the Australian's third shot at a world title and it again ended in heartbreak. There was no asterisk next to this result, a rematch against WBC super-welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora. When they first clashed 16 months ago, Tszyu could point to blood pouring into his eyes from a horror head cut as a mitigating factor. There were no excuses this time. At the scene of his father Kostya's most famous victory, that stupendous knockout of Zab Judah almost a quarter of a century ago, Tszyu copped a sobering lesson about where he sits in boxing's world order. Fundora dominated from the outset, flooring Tszyu in the opening round. Somehow he survived until the end of the seventh, before failing to come out to meet the bell for the start of the eighth. It was a surprise to witness Tszyu finish on his stool, given he landed his best shots in the moments just before the bout was called off. There was contention over whether the decision was made by Tszyu or his corner, who felt their man was gassed after walking into a barrage of jabs over the preceding 21 minutes. Either way, Tszyu had no more fight left in him. 'He is one tough motherf-—r,' Tszyu said. 'I tried to give it everything, but just couldn't do it. Victory belongs to Sebstian Fundora, the best 154-pounder on the planet right now.' Tszyu said a cut that had opened above his right eye didn't contribute to the stoppage. 'He was just a better man,' Tszyu said. 'He's just very hard to land [on]. He's tough as f–-. Sometimes it felt like I was shadow boxing with myself. It is what it is, congratulations to Fundora and his team.' There will be no trilogy fight. In the space of 16 months, Tszyu has lost his undefeated record and the three world championship fights that he has contested. This might be as close to a world title as he will ever get to again. The 'Soul Taker' labelled Fundora's punches as 'stringy' and lacking power in the lead up, but there was a sting in the American's jab. Fundora, standing at 197 centimeters tall, had a distinct height and reach advantage and used it to good effect. The southpaw clipped Tszyu every time he lunged in, and also showed a solid chin whenever a punch got through his defences. 'You know what, I woke up this morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and went 'Oh wow, I have reach,' Fundora said, a hint to the way he controlled the ring. 'We've been working on aggression my whole professional career and now we're just adding the length of my arms.' Tszyu's handlers insisted Tszyu was taken to hospital as a 'precaution', but it remains to be seen if the real damage is physical or psychological. This was meant to be his big American moment, sharing the stage with Pacquiao, who was making a comeback at 46 years of age. Ultimately, the 'Pac Man' had to settle for a majority draw against Marios Barrios, meaning the latter retained his WBC welterweight title. It's one thing to share the stage with the greats, owning it is another altogether. yesterday 2.28pm Both men want a rematch Barrios won the last three rounds, just enough to level it up in the eyes of the judges. 'I thought I pulled it out,' Barrios said. 'I still tip my hat to Manny, nothing but love and respect. 'We still came in here and left everything in the ring … he is still a very awkward fighter to figure out. 'I tried to make him feel old, but he still has some legs in the tank.' Both men said they were keen for a rematch. yesterday 2.24pm And the winner is: No one! It's a majority draw! One judge gave it to Barrios 115-113, the other two scored it 114-all. So it's a draw. Which means Barrios, as the title holder, remains the WBC belt. According to Compubox, Barrios landed the more punches, 120-101. However, Pacquiao apparently landed the more power punches, 81-75. 'I won the fight,' Pacquiao said. 'It was a close fight, very tough. Wonderful fight. 'It's an inspiration to old boxers, if you have discipline and hard work, you can still fight.' Asked if he will fight again, Pacquiao said: 'I think so.' yesterday 2.15pm Round 11: Barrios wins that round His corner told him not show Pacquiao any respect. No touching gloves. Take none of his nonsense. While Pacquiao landed late, I'd give that round to Barrios. He landed a beautiful combination early in the round, perhaps the best of the round. yesterday 2.10pm Round 10: Championship rounds coming up Terrific flurry from Barrios at the minute mark, one of his better combinations of the fight. He needs more of that; the unofficial scorecard has Pacquiao in front by three rounds after the ninth. Pacquiao landed a nice body shot with a minute to go, and then landed the last combination of the round. yesterday 2.06pm Round 9: Pacquiao in control Pacquiao is getting better the longer the fight goes on. He no longer throws those four or five-punch combinations that he did in his pomp, but Pacquiao has been the better man over the last few rounds. yesterday 2.01pm Round 8: 'Pac Man' lands the better blows A couple of nice body shots from Barrios midway through the round. After seven rounds, the broadcaster had Pacquiao ahead by one after seven rounds. I've given this round to Pacquiao, he's countered really well and the crowd is going spare. yesterday 1.58pm Round 7: Manny Pacquiao not slowing down Interesting to see how Manny Pacquiao fares in the second half of the fight. There's a feeling he will get better once he shakes off the ring rust, but then there's the fact that he's going deep in a title fight at the age of 46. Pacquiao started the seventh really well and the broadcaster claims he has landed the more power punches so far. Barrios' team is imploring him to stay busy and not just load up for one big shot. yesterday 1.54pm Tszyu taken straight to hospital Tim Tszyu would have loved to watch the Manny Pacquiao fight, but that's not happening. The Australian has been taken straight to hospital for what his team describes as a 'precautionary' measure. I'm hearing it was Tszyu's corner who made the decision to stop the fight, rather than Tszyu. However, Tszyu didn't argue with the move when the prospect of stopping was put to him. Tszyu was just too gassed after copping all those jabs and couldn't go on. Round 6: Will the judges lean towards 'Pac Man'? There's little between these two, which is a concern for Barrios. If it goes to the judges, and I think it will, I'm tipping they will lean towards the hall-of-famer.
