Australian boxing is flourishing right now and Tim Tszyu is right at the forefront, and as he prepares for his second defence of the WBO super-welterweight title, it seems as though the Aussie is poised to break a national record, should he be successful on Saturday night.
The Aussie was upgraded to full WBO world champion last Autumn, before defending the strap in a unanimous-decision win over Brian Mendoza in October.
It was then announced that Tszyu would headline PBC’s first major boxing event with Amazon Prime Video, taking on former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman.
However, an injury has seen Thurman withdraw from the bout, with the appropriately nicknamed ‘Towering Inferno’ known as Sebastian Fundora stepping in on twelve days’ notice in a clash that is now also for the vacant WBC title.
Yet, despite the two belts on the line, the biggest prize for the winner may be a potential fight with Terence Crawford, who has become mandatory for the WBO belt, and MailOnline revealed that a fight of that size for Tszyu would break a national sport earnings record.
“Sources have revealed that Tszyu (24-0, 17KO) will collect $US10million ($15.3million) to enter the ring with Crawford (40-0, 31KO).
“That is more than double the $6.56million golf superstar Cameron Smith pocketed for winning LIV Golf London last year and helping the Crushers to second place in the teams’ event on the same day.
“Smith also reportedly received between $US100 and $US125 million ($A153-191 million) to defect to the Saudi-backed breakaway tour and the country’s best basketball, baseball, soccer players and Formula One drivers can pick up eight-figure sign-on fees.
“But no Australian athlete can ever boast of earning $15million in one day.”
Although, Tszyu must first tackle the physically and mentally giant task of an ironically ‘short’ notice fight with Fundora, on March 30th.