WBO interim light-middleweight champion, Tim Tszyu (23-0, 17 KOs), delivered an extraordinary knockout victory against the usually resilient Carlos Ocampo (34-3, 22 KOs) in round one, this past Sunday. The electrifying showdown was held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, nestled in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia.
Tszyu, the potent 28-year-old fighter, sprinted out of the gate in round one, landing a ferocious right-handed strike on Ocampo’s head, which sent shivers down his spine.
Not long after, Tszyu floored Ocampo with another brutal right-hand. Upon regaining his feet, the 27-year-old Ocampo was met by Tszyu’s merciless left hook, landing him straight back onto the canvas. Referee Danrex Tapdasan subsequently halted the bout. The stoppage time clocked in at 1:17 of the first round.
Addressing the crowd through FOX Sports post-bout, Tszyu queried, “I got a question for everyone here. What’s my name?” Adding, “I believe I’ve made a clear statement tonight. Errol took nearly three minutes to achieve what I did in just over a minute. I beat you, Errol. I beat you to it.
“I’m not waging a war against America. Instead, it’s the territory I yearn to dominate. That’s my next destination. The big fight is on the horizon. I’m not content with this interim belt. I covet all four. Not just the belts, but also Charlo’s name etched into my career record,” expressed Tszyu.
Tszyu’s emphatic victory sends a powerful signal to the undisputed light-middleweight champion, Jermell Charlo, whom he plans to challenge next. Charlo has been slowly recovering from a hand injury sustained late last year.
The co-main event featured an unbeaten Sam Goodman (15-0, 7 KOs) clinching a narrow victory over Ra’eese Aleem (20-1, 12 KOs) by a split decision in a thrilling twelve-round IBF super-bantamweight title eliminator.
The scores were:
117-111 – Favouring Goodman
116-112 – In favour of Goodman
116-112 – Awarded to Aleem
In the early stages, Aleem seemed to have the upper hand, dominating Goodman. However, as the contest reached its halfway point, Goodman rallied back, pummelling the older Aleem.
Despite his initial struggle, Goodman’s eventual triumph was a testament to his unyielding determination and admirable tenacity. By demonstrating skill, courage and strategic prowess, he successfully overturned the tide of the bout. It was a riveting match, wherein both fighters showed their grit and resolve.
On the other hand, Tszyu’s victory showcased the Aussie’s impeccable strength and timing. His knockouts were swift and brutal, demonstrating a fighter at the peak of his prowess. Tszyu’s immediate ambitions are clear, and his resolve seems as ironclad as his fists. The challenge he sends to Jermell Charlo is far from veiled. The imminent confrontation between these two titans of the ring promises a highly anticipated bout.
Tim Tszyu’s tremendous performance, coupled with his bold declaration, has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the boxing community. He’s poised himself not merely as a potential challenger, but as a formidable threat to America’s reign in the light-middleweight division. His desire for victory, evident in his every move, has left fans eagerly waiting for his next power-packed showdown.
In a realm where every blow counts, both Sam Goodman and Tim Tszyu proved their mettle this past Sunday. Their respective performances, filled with grit, strength, and pure skill, have set the stage for future bouts, promising spectators more adrenaline-fueled nights of boxing entertainment.
