Tim Tszyu Sends A Warning To Brian Mendoza Ahead Of Title Fight

Tim Tszyu has warned Brian Mendoza ahead of their upcoming title fight.

Tszyu is set to defend his WBO junior middleweight title on Sunday, Oct. 15 – Saturday in North America – from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. He became the new champ once Jermell Charlo fought Canelo Alvarez as Tszyu was promoted from interim to undisputed.

Although he is now the undisputed champ, Tszyu says he won’t view himself as the world champion until he wins this fight.

“There was no celebration, no nothing when Charlo stepped in the ring against Canelo and I became world champion. I’ll feel like a world champion once this fight with Mendoza is done,” said Tszyu. “I want to earn it that way Brian and I are both in that top one percent of fighters in the world. He’s a style I haven’t faced before and I know he thrives on that underdog mentality. So, he of course has my respect. But he’s in there with someone that’s a different breed and it’s not going to end well for him. I promise to turn any remaining non-believers into believers. This is my time and my division now.”

Tim Tszyu is a perfect 30-0 and is a sizeable -700 betting favorite, as the oddsmakers expect the Aussie to get the win on home soil.

Tszyu is coming off a first-round KO over Carlos Ocampo back in June and before that, beat Tony Harrison by TKO.

Brian Mendoza, meanwhile, is 22-2 as a pro and to earn the title shot, he KO’d Sebastian Fundora back in April. In his career, he also holds notable wins over Jeison Rosario, and Rosemberg Gomez while his two losses came to Larry Gomez by split decision and Jesus Ramos by decision.

Do you think Tim Tszyu will beat Brian Mendoza?