Tim Tszyu Punishes, Stops Jeff Horn!

By Carlos Costa

Unbeaten Australian Super Welterweight Tim Tszyu – son of Hall-of-Fame Russian warrior Kostya Tszyu – proved that he is got some awesome fighting genes from his old man as he ravaged, dropped and knocked out in eight rounds former welterweight titlist Jeff Horn Wednesday evening at the Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

During the first skirmishes of the exciting battle, old-brawler Horn attempted to applied his usual rough, head-first, disorganized pressure on the younger Tszyu, but quickly found out that the younger fighter was solid in his defense, counter-punching him effectively with solid blows to the head and body.

As minutes went on, Tszyu began landing more often and hard on the man who once scored a very controversial decision over Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

During the rough action of the third chapter, a well-placed short left hook sent “The Hornet” Horn backward down to the canvas for the counting of experienced referee Phil Austin.

Laser-focused, Tszyu went on to the attack with striking weapons, but Horn ended up the third stanza on his feet. Nevertheless, it was clear the Tim Tszyu had taken complete control of the battle, and that it was a matter of time till more damage would be inflicted. And so it was.

More punishment on Horn landed on beautifully, mainly with long overhead rights and left hooks, as well as with brutal body shots that were fast and bad reducing the former school teacher, who was unable to produce any kind of trouble on his far more skilled younger tormentor.

Solid uppercuts continued landing on Horn’s midsection during the 5th round, further deteriorating The Hornet’s stamina, who by now was breathing really heavily.

During the action of the 6th round, Tim Tszyu sent Horn back down to the canvas again.

The dropping was a product of a left hook to the liver. A brave and strong Horn (20-3-1, 13 KO’s) stood up again, but the expression of his face was reflecting the heck of leather he was going through. Unfortunately, there was much more to come.

During the seventh and eighth chapters, Tszyu continued his cold-blooded attack with perfect results as Horn, in obvious pain, was hanging on to dear life absorbing more knuckles to the head, though there were the strikes to his mid-section the ones taking the bigger toll.

So intense and destructive was round eight’s attack that Jeff Horn surrendered on his stool, not coming out for more. It was over. Tim Tszyu, 25, had scored the most important win in his young career, and Jeff Horn’s career might be over. Time will tell.

With the win, the hard-hitting Tszyu (16-0, 12 KO’s) retains his IBF and WBO regional belts and improves his standing in the super welterweight world-rankings.

Promoted by Matt Rose, the show was aired live around the world on ESPN, Main Event and Sky Sport.

The author Carlos Costa is a veteran boxing reporter living in Cebu. He can be reached on Twitter @CarlosCostaBox and WhatsApp: 09184538152.