Tszyu, Mendoza talk big showdown in Australia

Undefeated Australian superstar and WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion Tim Tszyu and top contender Brian Mendoza shared the stage during the final press conference before they share the ring headlining action live on SHOWTIME^® on Saturday, October 14 (Sunday, October 15 in Australia) from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia.

The SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL^® telecast begins at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT and will also feature Australia’s rising contender Sam Goodman squaring off against former world title challenger Miguel Flores in a 12-round bout at a catch-weight of 125 pounds.

Here is what Tszyu and Mendoza had to say from Queensland, Australia on Thursday (Friday in Australia):

TIM TSZYU

Photos: Zain Mohammed/NO LIMIT BOXING

“It’s a good feeling (being back here on the Gold Coast). I haven’t been out too much, just around a little bit. But I definitely do feel the love, and this is one of the reasons why I always come back here. The Gold Coast feels like a second home. I thank everyone here for that support.

“I’m zoned in. There’s no love at all whatsoever (between me and Mendoza). And that’s what happens with each one of my opponents when I face them. Every little thing frustrates me about them. And I just have one thing on my mind and that’s victory by any means.

“He’s trying to take away everything that I’ve worked for. As a warrior, this is like me defending my land. He’s coming onto my land and there’s no way I’m going to allow him to try and take it.

“He’s a good guy and I’m not into all that booing and all that stuff. I think when fight night comes he’ll definitely feel the hostile crowd of the Tszyu land.

“I’m not here to do comparisons (on who’s the bigger puncher). He’s got a couple of real nice highlight KOs and I’ll have to put one on him.

“I’m 23-0 for a reason. No one’s figured out the puzzle. For him he’s on the rise, he’s on a roll. But 23 – numbers don’t lie.

“I’m not looking for just one world title. I’m looking for all four. This is because of one man’s [nervousness]. But I want all four. I’m in the present moment right now. I’m not thinking about that other bloke.

“Don’t blink.”

BRIAN MENDOZA

“In person, everyone’s been receiving me with lots of love here. I know you guys might not be fully rooting for me, but I hope to gain a few more fans after fight night.

“It felt incredible (knocking out Sebastian Fundora). It’s a feeling that I can’t describe. And especially being in an underdog role and still pulling something like that off, it’s a dream come true. It’s a high I’m going to be chasing for the rest of my life.

“The common denominator (of dreams I’ve had about this fight) is that my hand gets raised at the end of the night.

“I’ve made my own real-life Rocky story. I didn’t mean to start it that way when I started my career, but you have ups and downs in life and this is what it is. I clawed my way back from obscurity and now at this point I’m chasing greatness and I want this belt. It will change my life, my family’s life and everybody around me. So that’s what I’ll be fighting for in the ring.

“I don’t care (how he feels about me). He still has to see me in the ring. It is what it is. Love me or hate me I’m here to win and to get the job done.”