Tszyu Eases Past Mendoza To Successfully Defend His WBO 154-Pound Belt

November 15, 2023
10 months

In today’s boxing news, Tim Tszyu successfully defended his WBO junior middleweight belt against Brian Mendoza in a dominant unanimous-decision win: 116-111, 116-112 and 117-111.

It was the Australian’s first defense of the belt after having been elevated to the status of a full champion following Jermell Charlo’s failure to defend his belt against him when Tszyu was the mandatory.

The opening round was a cagey affair with both fighters finding their feet with nothing registering of note. However, it was clear that Mendoza sought to increase the pace with his fast start as Tszyu remained composed.

Mendoza was the busier fighter, however, both boxer’s exchanged right hands in the second round as the Australian had to bide his time for an opening.

The third was by far when Tszyu’s first major success came. The Australian slipped a left straight through Mendoza’s guard to the head. However, the American averted any further signs of damage.

Tszyu built on that success with a good fourth and fifth round. The champion found his groove, landing a left-right combination in the fourth, followed up by a series of lefts, straight, hook and uppercut, in the fifth.

In the second half of the fight, Tszyu stepped on the gas. The former landed multiple uppercuts that sent Mendoza staggering back in the seventh.

Mendoza’s increased output was being outdone by the heavier-handed Tszyu. Despite having swelling under his eye, as shown in the eighth, Mendoza continued to come forward.

However, Tszyu almost ended the bout in the tenth. A series of flurries landed only for Mendoza to be saved by the bell. The same theme continued in the 11th and 12th round only for Mendoza to last the distance in an entertaining clash.

In the aftermath of the fight, Tszyu called out Charlo following the latter’s recent loss to Canelo. The bout would set up another chance for Charlo to become undisputed at 154 pounds.

And with no other big fights out there, aside from a potential bout with Terence Crawford, the pressure may increase on the American to face Tszyu. After all, the latter made it clear that he was ready to face the challenge.

Reaction

“Chaaaaaaarlo, hello! Yeah buddy. Probably in his delusional head, he would say he would beat me. Come and get it. He is the best 154, but let’s really prove to anyone who is the king of the division. He’s [Mendoza] world-class for a reason, he’s just behind me. I told you, it’s my last hooray [in Australia]. Hopefully we can all go to Vegas together,” Tszyu said

Full Card Results

Tim Tszyu def. Brian Mendoza via unanimous decision (116-111, 116-112, 117-111)

Sam Goodman def. Miguel Flores via unanimous decision (118-107, 120-105 x2)

Jackson England def. Nathaniel May via split decision (96-94 x2, 94-96)

Shanell Dargan def. Amber Amelia via unanimous decision (77-75 x3)

Toese Vousiutu def. Julius Long via round four TKO

Hass Hamdan def. Danvers Cuschieri via unanimous decision (79-73, 78-74, 77-75)

Wade Ryan def. Sergei Vorobev via unanimous decision (99-1, 98-92 x2)

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