Tim Tszyu vs Brian Mendoza fight review – Entertaining 12 rounds sees newly appointed WBO king bag first title defence

Super-fights in Vegas beckoning for the Australian star, after overcoming a game challenger

Last Saturday night, October 14, at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Tim Tszyu (24-0 17KO) was given a workout, but always remained one step ahead of a supremely tough Brian Mendoza (22-3 16KO).

This was the first defence of his full WBO title, after he was elevated from interim champion following Jermell Charlo’s jump up in two weights to challenge undisputed 168lb champ and global superstar Canelo Alvarez.

The fight on Saturday was perhaps more competitive than some had expected for the first few rounds. 28-year-old Aussie Tim Tszyu was landing the cleaner shots throughout, with his trademark calculated aggression and well-timed overhand rights repeatedly finding their home.

Mendoza however, confidence high after a KO of the year contender victory over rapidly rising prospect Sebastian Fundora, never appeared overawed by the occasion, managing to also have moments of success with right hand counters of his own.

Despite these brief moments, the WBO champ just appeared the more physically imposing fighter from the onset, holding centre ring and controlling the tempo. Any success that Mendoza had looked like it was making him exert significantly more energy than his undefeated counterpart, which would play a factor as the fight wore on.

Moving into the second half of the fight and Tszyu started to settle into more of a rhythm. In round seven, the crowd were up on their feet in admiration of their newfound boxing star, as he whipped in three brutal right uppercuts in rapid succession, each one snapping back the head of the American challenger.

Heading into the championship rounds and 'The Soul Taker's' sustained aggression was starting to take its toll, with Mendoza’s defences visibly starting to unravel. The end of the 10th and the entirety of round 11 saw sustained attacks, much of which with 29-year-old Mendoza being bludgeoned against the ropes, give referee Danny Leigh a decision to ponder. 'La Balal' Mendoza however, demonstrating a granite chin and a lot of heart, was resolute in his determination to not let this be his first stoppage defeat. Despite taking a lot of punishment, he also demonstrated a great deal of ring savviness, just riding Tszyu’s shots enough to take the sting off and always managing to fire back with one or two shots on instinct just as you thought the finish was near. In the 12th round Mendoza even found the strength to rally back, with both men leaving everything in the ring ahead of the final bell.

In the end Tim Tszyu was granted a unanimous decision victory with scores of 117-111 and 2 x 116-112. It’s the latest solid victory over a top ten name in the division, for a fighter who over the last 18 months has really began to forge his own reputation, no longer being considered a potential hype job with his father’s name, but instead a legitimate world level fighter in his own right.

For Brian Mendoza, who did his reputation no harm at all, we will certainly see him back in another big fight at 154lb’s before too long. For the victor however, the time now appears to be right to take aim at the top dog of the division, Jermell 'Iron Man' Charlo. After the bout Tszyu did just that, when addressing the thousands of loyal fans present in the arena, he beamed ‘Charlooo, where you at buddy? Come get it. Let’s prove who is the king of the division.’ He also stated, ‘This is my last hurrah, hopefully we can all go to Vegas together.’

With these statements the next desired move is clear, with a mammoth undisputed fight with Charlo in Vegas being looked at within the first quarter of next year, in what would be pitting the clear number one and number two in the division against each other for all four belts. With all four belts once more in possession of one man after their rivalry is settled, a mouthwatering clash with undisputed 147lb and P4P king Terence Crawford may well await the victor.

Article sponsored by HÖRFA