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Winning non negotiable for Tszyu, Hogan

3 minute read

Boxers Tim Tszyu and Dennis Hogan both readily admit they can't afford to lose their super welterweight showdown in Newcastle.

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

The trash talking's over as Tim Tszyu and Dennis Hogan prepare to lock horns in a Steel City Showdown which both boxers concede they simply can't afford to lose.

Tszyu's undefeated record and WBO global super welterweight title are on the line at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night.

But the stakes are much higher than that, with Tszyu needing to win to hopefully earn a long-awaited world title shot at Argentina's Brian Castano.

Twice an unsuccessful world title challenger, Hogan, the bookmakers' underdog but self-styled favourite, suspects he's fighting in the last-chance saloon.

The Brisbane-based Irishman declared his 33rd professional bout "everything in the world to me right now" at Tuesday's weigh-in.

"It's make or break, really, isn't it? This gets me back to where all my dreams are alive, what I've visualised for a very long time and I believe I'm going to do it," Hogan said.

"I'll out-box him every single round but I'll probably win with a knockout.

"I feel like I'm going to land heavy tomorrow night."

Tszyu hit the scales at 69.3kg - 10 grams lighter than Hogan - but both expect to put on 7kg before entering the ring.

Thirteen of his 17 victories have been by knockout and Tszyu is once again bristling with confidence.

"He believes. I know. That's the difference," said the 26-year-old son of former undisputed world light-welterweight champion Kostya said.

"You can make your toughest opponent look easy. That's my goal.

"It's the only option I've got. There's no such thing as make or break. This is the only option - winning and in spectacular fashion."

Asked how the fight would end, Tszyu said: "Everyone knows. Let them enjoy the show."

He swatted away Hogan's knockout threat in the same swift manner in which he sent Kiwi Bowyn Morgan to the canvas inside two minutes in his most recent fight in December.

"He hasn't done that (knocked anyone out) in a few years," Tszyu said, adding that it wouldn't hurt to give fans a few more rounds this time around.

"I want to get in there and enjoy myself so, if I'm enjoying myself, I wouldn't mind a few rounds to go that extra distance."

Tszyu's father fought seven times in Newcastle and he's offered his son, from Russia with love, the same advice he always gives: "To not get hit."

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