Tim Tszyu, is prepping to defend his WBO Junior Middleweight World Championship belt against the hard-hitting Brian Mendoza. This exciting showdown will take the spotlight live on SHOWTIME® come October 14th—or, for the folks down under, the 15th. All eyes will be on the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland.
SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® is kicking off the excitement at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
Australia’s own Sam Goodman, another rising star, is set to fight former world title challenger Miguel Flores in a thrilling 12-round featherweight bout.
Tom Brown, the big boss at TGB Promotions, chimed in with, “Tim Tszyu has been lighting up the boxing scene, and facing Brian Mendoza? This is gonna be electric. Both these guys have knockout power, making this fight an exciting addition to the already stacked 154-pound division.”
Tszyu, 28, sporting a 23-0 record with 17 KOs, is on fire this 2023! He began by stopping Tony Harrison on SHOWTIME, a career highlight that earned him praise. He then brought the thunder in June, knocking out Carlos Ocampo. And guess what? After Jermell Charlo took a swing and missed against Canelo Alvarez, Tszyu was crowned the full WBO champ. Did I mention his dad is the legendary Kostya Tszyu, an undisputed 140-pound champion? No pressure, Tim.
Tszyu himself said, “Becoming world champ felt empty without a real fight. Mendoza? He’s gonna be a significant test. I respect his game, but once he’s in the ring with me, it’s a different story. I’m here to convert the skeptics; it’s my era, my division.”
Mendoza, with a 22-2 record and 16 KOs, is no slouch. He rocked the boxing world in April, ending Sebastian Fundora’s unbeaten run with a jaw-dropping KO in the seventh round. Plus, with trainer Ismael Salas in his corner and three back-to-back wins, Mendoza’s on a roll.
Mendoza stated, “This isn’t just a fight for me; it’s about bringing the title home to my family. Training’s been tough, but I’ve never felt better. A win here? It’s game-changing for generations of Mendozas.”
Meanwhile, 25-year-old Goodman (15-0, 7 KOs) is another one to watch. After clinching notable wins against Ra’eese Aleem and T.J. Doheny, he’s on the path to greatness.
And don’t write off Flores (25-4-1, 12 KOs) yet. After going toe-to-toe with Abner Mares last September, the 31-year-old’s back, aiming for another win.
TIM TSZYU
“It feels good returning to the Gold Coast. I’ve only been around briefly, but the warmth is evident. The Gold Coast is like my second home, and I’m grateful for the unwavering support from the folks here.
I’m laser-focused. There’s absolutely no warmth between Mendoza and me. Whenever I prepare to fight someone, everything about them irks me. Victory is all I see.
To me, he’s attempting to rob me of everything I’ve strived for. It feels like I’m guarding my territory. He’s stepping into my world, and I won’t let him claim it.
Mendoza is a decent fellow, and I don’t care for all the jeering. However, on the fight night, he will surely sense the intensity of my home crowd.
Comparing our strengths isn’t my goal. He’s had some impressive knockouts, and I aim to deliver one to him.
There’s a reason I stand at 23-0. I remain an unsolved challenge. He may be gaining momentum, but the stats speak for themselves.
My eyes aren’t set on just a single world title – I want them all. But for now, my focus is sharp and present, not on others.
Stay alert during the fight.”
BRIAN MENDOZA
“People here have shown me genuine warmth, even if not all are cheering for me. My hope is to turn a few more heads my way after the fight night.
The sensation (of knocking out Sebastian Fundora) is indescribable. Being the underdog and achieving that felt surreal. That elation is something I intend to experience repeatedly.
Every dream I have of our upcoming fight concludes with my hand raised in victory.
I never envisioned my journey mimicking a Rocky narrative, but life’s rollercoaster led me here. From relative obscurity, I’ve battled my way back, and now I’m after that title. Securing it would be a game-changer for me and those close to me.
Regardless of Tszyu’s sentiments about me, the ring is where it all matters. Whether he admires or loathes me, my eyes are set on victory.”
Fight Details: Start Times
- Date: Saturday, October 14 (which translates to Sunday, October 15 in Australia)
- Time: The event starts at 12:30 p.m. AEST on Sunday in Australia, 10:30 p.m. ET in the U.S., and at 3:30 a.m. in the UK.
- Main Event Ring Walks: The exact times are yet to be announced.
Broadcast Information:
- United States: The fight will be available on Showtime.
- United Kingdom: Broadcast details are still pending and will be announced closer to the fight date.
Venue: The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, situated in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia, will host this significant event, drawing attention from boxing enthusiasts worldwide.
Fighter Profiles:
Tim Tszyu:
- Nationality: Australian
- Date of Birth: November 2, 1994
- Height: 5′ 8.5″
- Reach: 72″
- Total Fights: 23
- Record: An unblemished 23-0, with 17 wins coming by way of knockout.
Brian Mendoza:
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: February 13, 1994
- Height: 5′ 10″
- Reach: 70″
- Total Fights: 24
- Record: A solid 22-2, with 16 knockouts to his name.
Undercard Fights:
- Tim Tszyu vs. Brian Mendoza for Tszyu’s WBO light middleweight title
- Sam Goodman vs. Miguel Flores in a featherweight bout
- Nathaniel May vs. Jackson Jon England for the vacant IBF Australasian super-featherweight title
- Sergei Vorobev vs. Wade Ryan in a light middleweight contest
- Shanell Dargan vs. Amber Amelia in a super bantamweight bout
- Hassan Hamdan vs. Danvers Cuschieri in a welterweight fight
- Toese Vousiutu vs. Julius Long in a heavyweight clash