American boxer Tony Harrison lands in Sydney to fight for the world title with Tim Tszyu and complains about his long flight: ‘We had to pull over, take a camel, go karting and ride a bike’
- Tony Harrison arrives in Sydney for world title fight
- American says he’s ‘one step too far’ for Tszyu
- Harrison faces Tim Tszyu on March 12
Tony Harrison arrived for his world title match with Tim Tszyu bleary-eyed and complaining about his long flight, suggesting he will never return to Down Under because of the grueling journey.
Harrison and Tszyu will battle on March 12 for the interim WBO super middleweight belt, with the winner facing Jermell Charlo later this year for undisputed divisional honors.
Tszyu spent nine weeks in the United States preparing for his scheduled clash with Charlo on Jan. 29, before the blockbuster was canceled over Christmas after the champion broke two bones in his left hand in training.
Harrison (29-3-1, 21KO) is the only man to beat Charlo (35-1-1, 19KO) and says he no longer needs to acclimate and prepare for Tszyu (21-0, 15KO).
“I only need one ring.” I don’t need time. I just need a ring,’ the 32-year-old from Detroit said on Tuesday.
Tony Harrison arrived for his world title match with Tim Tszyu bleary-eyed and complaining about his long flight, suggesting he will never return to Down Under because of the grueling journey.
Harrison and Tszyu will fight on March 12 for the interim WBO super middleweight belt, with the winner facing off against Jermell Charlo later this year for undisputed divisional honors.
But he might need some sleep before his hit-and-run mission after admitting he wasn’t expecting such a brutal flight.
‘It was tough, man. It was a difficult flight. We had to pull over, get a camel, get a kart, ride a bike,’ Harrison said.
“Nobody expected me to be here, but I’m here.
‘Never have (been to Australia before) and probably won’t be back. This flight is too long.
Despite his exhaustion, Harrison promised to be in tip-top shape for Tszyu by the time of the fight at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena.
‘I feel amazing. Tim picked me up at the right time – wrong time for him, right time for me,’ he said.
‘For Tim, he knows I’m a step too far.’
While Harrison said he was ‘looking for hostility’ from Australian fans hoping the 29-year-old Sydneysider would emulate his father Kostya and become a world champion, the American flash believes he will only receive love and support.
Despite his exhaustion, Harrison promised to be in tip-top shape for Tszyu by the time of the fight at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena.
Harrison (left) says it’s a ‘step too far’ for the Australian
Despite previously dismissing Tszyu as little more than a ‘park fighter’, under the front Harrison is not underestimating his undefeated opponent.
‘Listen to me – if they love Tim, they’ll love me,’ Harrison said.
‘I’m the complete opposite of Tim. I’m vibrant. I have a lot of humility. If they like him, they’ll love me.
Despite previously dismissing Tszyu as little more than a ‘park fighter’, under the front Harrison is not underestimating his undefeated opponent.
‘I’m not neglecting Tim. I talk shit, but Tim is a tough competitor so I’m looking forward to a tough, tough fight,’ he said.
‘I’m looking forward to a good 12 rounds – or less – but I trained for the long haul.
‘I know I have a tough competitor in front of me who is fighting in front of his fans, family and crowd.
“One step at a time for me, but on March 12th you are in for a rude awakening.”