Iconic ring announcer Michael Buffer is a big fan of Tim Tszyu but he doesn’t rate the organisers of the Aussie’s bout with Carlos Ocampo, slamming them for short-changing fans by obstructing their view of the action with very thick ropes around the ring.
Tszyu retained his WBO interim super-welterweight title by stopping the Mexican in just 77 seconds in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it performance at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
‘Young Tszyu is looking like prime Dad Tszyu!’ tweeted Buffer after the event. However, he wasn’t impressed with the way the ring was set up for the event, with sponsors’ logos emblazoned on the ropes.
His dominant display was a chilling warning to undisputed world champion Jermell Charlo, whom he should fight before October 1 for the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF belts. Tszyu’s performance drew praise from all over the boxing world, including legendary ring announcer Buffer the voice behind the famous boxing catchphrase, ‘Let’s get ready to rumble!’
It’s not the first time Buffer has blasted the organisers of a Tszyu fight, either. When the Sydneysider took on American Tony Harrison in March, Buffer shared an image from the fight and compared it to an shot from 1982 when Larry Holmes fought Gerry Cooney.
‘Advertising literally getting in the way of the fans ability to appreciate the sport,’ said another. ‘Absolutely my friend. Can’t imagine some of those high dollars/ high rollers haven’t complained enough to make the change back,’ said a third.
Many fight fans backed Buffer’s take, saying the thick ropes impact the viewers’ ability to see the action. ‘Agreed, sir! The seats at ringside and the floor seats have to have trouble seeing much with those thicker ropes,’ replied one.
Meanwhile, Aussie boxing great Jeff Fenech said on Main Event that Tszyu had been ‘outstanding’ in his demolition of Ocampo. And former world champion Shawn Porter believes such was the confidence displayed by Tszyu that the Australian must be considered the favourite against Charlo.
‘That’s the key word right there confidence. He’s on physically,’ he said on Main Event. ‘He’s growing in terms of his experience and in his mentality in the ring. ‘Knowing what you’re seeing and taking control where you can. Now his confidence is growing.
‘This is a big problem for Charlo. Look at all this momentum on the side of Tim Tszyu.‘Everything’s on Tim’s side to win this fight. ‘I even guarantee that even from a standpoint of bookies, if bookies don’t put Tim as the favourite, they’re just favouring Charlo. ‘Tim Tszyu is now the favourite to win and become undisputed.’
