madjack
07-02-2003, 06:10 AM
Tszyu vows to fight on
By Jon Anderson
February 6, 2003
KOSTYA TSZYU plans to fight again by the middle of the year, with Melbourne the likely venue.
Tszyu said yesterday he had decided to continue his brilliant professional career for "one more fight at least".
Retirement had loomed for the 33-year-old undisputed junior welterweight champion after a slightly lacklustre display in stopping James Leija in six rounds at Telstra Dome on January 19.
Tszyu loved fighting in front of 28,000 supporters but was disappointed with several aspects of the promotion.
"I can tell you I was not responsible for the seats, those who couldn't see properly," he said yesterday.
"I am not to be blamed for this ... there were too many parties involved (in the promotion)."
Tszyu, like many others, has been left with a sour taste in his mouth after the Leija fight, with stories circulating of bounced cheques and hotels being owed money and complaints about the brevity of several bouts on the undercard.
"There were some great fighters on the undercard but they were mismatched," he said.
The Russian-born punching machine is now waiting to sign his next contract before turning his attention to training.
"This last fight I worry about contract and details and I can't say it was my best performance," he said.
"But I was getting better, getting my timing as fight wore on and I would have knocked him out.
"He knew that, that's why fight stopped."
Tszyu's next opponent is likely to be a mandatory WBC defence, with US promoters interested in matching him against hard-punching Arturo Gatti at Madison Garden in New York.
Tszyu would prefer not to fight in New York and is keen to return to Melbourne.
With Telstra Dome unavailable, Rod Laver Arena is firming as a possible venue.
By Jon Anderson
February 6, 2003
KOSTYA TSZYU plans to fight again by the middle of the year, with Melbourne the likely venue.
Tszyu said yesterday he had decided to continue his brilliant professional career for "one more fight at least".
Retirement had loomed for the 33-year-old undisputed junior welterweight champion after a slightly lacklustre display in stopping James Leija in six rounds at Telstra Dome on January 19.
Tszyu loved fighting in front of 28,000 supporters but was disappointed with several aspects of the promotion.
"I can tell you I was not responsible for the seats, those who couldn't see properly," he said yesterday.
"I am not to be blamed for this ... there were too many parties involved (in the promotion)."
Tszyu, like many others, has been left with a sour taste in his mouth after the Leija fight, with stories circulating of bounced cheques and hotels being owed money and complaints about the brevity of several bouts on the undercard.
"There were some great fighters on the undercard but they were mismatched," he said.
The Russian-born punching machine is now waiting to sign his next contract before turning his attention to training.
"This last fight I worry about contract and details and I can't say it was my best performance," he said.
"But I was getting better, getting my timing as fight wore on and I would have knocked him out.
"He knew that, that's why fight stopped."
Tszyu's next opponent is likely to be a mandatory WBC defence, with US promoters interested in matching him against hard-punching Arturo Gatti at Madison Garden in New York.
Tszyu would prefer not to fight in New York and is keen to return to Melbourne.
With Telstra Dome unavailable, Rod Laver Arena is firming as a possible venue.