Tim Tszyu is the official mandatory challenger for WBO champion Brian Castano following a dominant points win over Takeshi Inoue. Scores were 120-107 (twice) and 119-108 from the three ringside judges.
After an impressive rise through the professional ranks, Tszyu, son of former world champion, Kostya, is now in pole position to challenge for a world title against the outstanding Argentinian.
The Australian hero made a quick start in the contest as he breached Inoue’s defences with a number of eye-catching uppercuts. Stalking Inoue constantly Tszyu was throwing shots with hurtful intentions, and it appeared at several moments that the fight could be over in the opening stages.
Despite not winning rounds, Inoue’s toughness was earning huge plaudits as he soaked up the waves of pressure that was consistently coming at him. Unable to deter the onslaught, Inoue opted for survival, but that plan became unhinged when multiple shots in round six visibly appeared to be hurting the Japanese fighter.
Inoue rallied again but and did manage to land several scoring shots in the fight’s second half, but the heavier artillery was always coming from Tszyu. As the latter phases of the fight approached, Tszyu continued to push for the stoppage, and he was rewarded in the final session when he dropped Inoue before settling for a wide verdict on the scorecards.
“The guy is built like a brick wall,” Tszyu told The Sydney Morning Herald after the bout. “I hit him with everything and he wouldn’t go down. I don’t think a heavyweight could drop him. What a warrior.
“I heard him squeal like 20 times and he wouldn’t go down. I didn’t feel s—, I was just having a good time, in all honesty."
Tszyu went on to admit that going the distance also served as the perfect lead-in for a world title challenge in his next outing, with a direct route to the WBO's 154lbs ruler Castano in front of him.
“That was the best thing that could have happened, 12 rounds before the big time," claimed Tszyu. "I’ll be back in the gym, I need to take these guys out.
“I’m coming for all of you. Every single one of you.”