Tszyu no better than a park fighter says US opponent

Ahead of their world title fight in six weeks, outspoken American Tony Harrison says Tim Tszyu is tough but has likened him to someone he'd fight in a park.

TIM TSZYU .
TIM TSZYU . Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Tim Tszyu's world title rival Tony Harrison says the Australian boxer is basic, likening him to someone he'd fight in a park.

The American takes on Tszyu for the WBO interim super-welterweight world title on March 12 after the Sydneysider's original opponent, superstar Jermell Charlo, broke his hand.

Harrison is seeking a trilogy fight with undisputed junior middleweight champion Charlo, with the pair having split results, and says beating WBO mandatory Tszyu will position him for that goal.

The winner will claim the interim title and face a fit-again Charlo for all four belts later this year.

Harrison described Tszyu (21-0, 15KO) as "tough" but didn't think he offered much more.

"Tim is a very tough fighter, but he's so basic to me," Harrison told The Last Stand podcast.

"He's like somebody I see around the block, or like somebody at the park when I'm fighting somebody at the park.

"There's nothing's special about him; his defence is not stellar, his offence ain't stellar, he's just a very tough competitor.

"I don't seem myself losing, I don't even see how this guy can beat me - he's got like little arms and shit."

Harrison, who shocked Charnell to win the WBC super welterweight title in their first fight in 2018, hasn't fought since April last year when he earnt a convincing points decision against Spaniard Sergio Garcia.

The 32-year-old said Garcia was perfect preparation for Tszyu, who has remained training in the US since the cancellation of the January 28 Charlo duel.

"My last fight was just preparation for the same kind of guy I'm fighting - Sergio Garcia does the exact same shit so why wouldn't I take this fight," Harrison said.

"With my length, my IQ, my skill, I think it's me versus Sergio Garcia again."

Currently ranked No.2 by the WBC, No.3 by the WBO, Harrison even took a swipe at another Australian boxer, former WBO welterweight world champion Jeff Horn, who Tszyu beat in 2020.

"Tim has fought nobody for real, like Jeff Horn - who the f**k is Jeff Horn?," he said.

"The only guy Tim beat was Terrell Gausha and Terrell just don't have the attributes that I have."

The fight location within Australia is still to be announced but Harrison said he was looking forward to the trip into enemy territory, comparing it to a Rocky movie.

"Rocky Balboa versus (Ivan) Drago - this is literally like my moment to have that same kind of fight in real life instead of a movie," said Harrison, whose record is 29-3-1, 21KO.

"Like I want that 'boo' when I walk out.

"The environment, the hostility for this fight, man, I know I'm going to a fight knowing that the whole country is rooting for me to lose and if that don't excite you, I'm like, what does?"