Tim Tszyu may be 100 days out from his first world title fight but his preparation is already in full swing.
While most top level boxers will put in a 12-week training camp for a fight, Tszyu looks at it differently.
“For me, it’s not camp, it’s just a lifestyle thing,” Tszyu told Sporting News.
“I wake up, I train, I have a rest, eat, back to training.
“It’s just a part of me, a part of life, it’s what I do for a living.
“People dream about this, people work all their life and I’ve finally gotten to the stage where it’s here, this is it.
“One shot, one opportunity. I’m going all in, no plan B, nothing, just all in.”
The Aussie will take on American Jermell Charlo for the undisputed super-welterweight world title in Las Vegas on January 28 (Jan. 29 in Australia).
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Tszyu’s road to number one contender has been well-publicised - the son of a former undisputed world champion and all-time great was always going to have plenty of eyes on him when he joined the family business.
That journey, Tszyu says, has also given him an understanding of the recipe for success in the sport.
Having recently returned home from Thailand, the 27-year-old will soon be heading back to the south-east Asian nation for the next stage of his preparation.
“Just real old-school type training,” Tszyu says of his sessions at famed gym, Tiger Muay Thai.
“In the jungle, away from everyone, away from everything and really just grinding it out.
“I like the fact that you’re surrounded by killers, surrounded by people that are on the same drive as you and what you want to achieve.
“You don’t meet many people like that in the outside world here in Australia. It’s good to be surrounded by those sorts of people.
“You’re surrounded by killers in that environment and it’s a mad spiritual feeling.”
Considering the challenge in front of him, Tszyu’s dedication and focus on his craft are understandable.
Charlo (35-1-1) first became world champion in 2016, before regaining the title in 2019 when he avenged the only loss of his career by knocking out Tony Harrison.
The 32-year-old became undisputed champion when he stopped Brian Castano in the 10th round of their rematch.
Since that night in May, Charlo hasn’t so much as uttered Tszyu’s name in public, even failing to mention him in a now-deleted Instagram post announcing the January bout.
Tszyu suspects his opponent’s preparations aren’t on the same level as his, noting Charlo’s recent appearance for luxury brand Balenciaga at Paris Fashion Week.
“I think he hasn’t even started preparing,” Tszyu said.
“That’s the mindset. How can you call yourself a lion if one guy is in the jungle running up hills and the other one is at some fashion show?
“I couldn’t care less about Charlo, honestly.
“It’s got nothing to do with me, I’ll be ready and that’s all that matters.
“I’m beating myself everyday, that’s the main thing.
“This fight is not me against Charlo, this fight is me against me and everyday I try to be better than what I was yesterday.
“When I get to the Charlo fight, when that day comes, you’ll see the best Tim Tszyu possible.”
Tszyu made his US debut in March, overcoming a first-round knockdown to defeat Olympian Terrell Gausha via unanimous decision.
The Aussie battled illness in the lead up and suffered injuries requiring surgery to both hands in that bout.
Ahead of the Charlo fight, Tszyu, who is a $3 outsider with the bookies, is supremely confident and keen to show what he can do when fully fit.
“Six years in the game now, I’ve learned more about my body, what to do, what not to do, how to feel good on the inside, being able to eliminate distractions, how to eat properly, how to recover properly,” he said.
“I’m at a good stage in my career for my first world title fighting for the undisputed. It’s a good position to be in and I’m in a good space.
“Charlo’s not superhuman. He calls himself a lion, we’ll see who the lion really is.
“We’re all equal in this world but I feel like some people have got that extra edge. I feel like I’ve got that extra edge.
“In my last couple fights, I haven’t been at 100 per cent but this fight is just the time where I’ll be able to showcase everything.
“I can’t wait to fight. 100 days out. This is my last 100 days of being a non world champion so I’ve just got to enjoy it.”
