Danny Green, a seasoned warrior who has felt the electrifying surge of national pride in packed stadiums, believes Tim Tszyu is on the cusp of experiencing that same "superhuman" feeling. The former world champion is not only backing Tszyu to dethrone Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight crown but also predicts a monumental night for Australian boxing, potentially etching its place in the sport’s annals.
The highly anticipated showdown is slated for Sunday, December 13, at the Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. This event promises to be more than just a headline bout, featuring a stacked undercard that includes Jermell Charlo against Brock Jarvis and Liam Wilson’s world title challenge against Elnur Samedov. Green, speaking at the event’s announcement, underscored the significance of the occasion, stating, "It’s huge. It’s exciting for boxing in Australia. It’s exciting for boxing around the world. It’s putting Aussies on the map, and it’s giving the rest of the world a bit of a taste about what we’re all about in Australian boxing."
Tszyu has the opportunity to become a two-division world champion, a feat Green believes is perfectly timed. "I just believe that Tim Tszyu’s time is now," he declared. "The time is right for him." This confidence, however, is tempered with a healthy respect for Lara, the cunning Cuban opponent. Despite Lara’s age, Green acknowledges his enduring skill set. "Lara’s probably closer to 44 than he is 43, so he’s no spring chicken, but Lara’s dangerous," Green cautioned. "And he’s a sharpshooter. He’s smart. He’s extremely experienced, and he’s cagey. With him, age really is just a number."
Adding a personal dimension to the Tszyu-Lara clash, Green noted that two of his former trainers would be in opposing corners: Jeff Fenech guiding Tszyu and the decorated Cuban trainer Ismael Salas working with Lara. This familial connection, Green suggested, would only amplify the drama and the potential for a career-defining moment for Tszyu.
Recounting his own experiences, Green articulated the profound impact of fighting for one’s country. "To fight in front of a packed stadium, particularly your home country, it’s really hard to describe the feeling that you have when you’re walking out to a stadium that’s got tens of thousands of people," he shared. "And there’s so many people at home watching you and supporting you and want to see you win. It’s quite an incredible feeling. You feel superhuman, and I’m sure that Tim Tszyu is gonna feel that way, come fight night."
Renowned boxing pundit Peter Badel echoed Green’s sentiment, placing the Gold Coast event in esteemed company. While acknowledging the benchmark set by Jeff Horn’s 2017 bout against Manny Pacquiao, Badel asserted that this card could rival it in significance. "This is one of the most significant events we’ll see in Australian boxing history," Badel stated, highlighting the convergence of Tszyu’s world title bid, the return of former undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo, and Liam Wilson’s chance at world championship glory.
Green also expressed strong support for Liam Wilson, who has faced heartbreak in previous world title attempts. The veteran boxer believes these past challenges will fortify Wilson for his upcoming fight against Russia’s Elnur Samedov. "This kid’s the real deal, Liam Wilson. He’s a puncher. He’s a banger," Green enthused. "He’s never been in a fight that hasn’t been exciting." Green anticipates an electrifying performance from Wilson, predicting a victory and the crowning of another Australian world champion. "He’s all action. He’s a real Aussie battler, and I’m very, very confident that Liam Wilson’s learned so much in the previous world title fights," he added. "Coming into this one, I think he’s gonna be victorious, and we’re gonna have another world champion in the sport of boxing in this country, which is just phenomenal."
Regarding the bout between Jermell Charlo and Brock Jarvis, Green offered a more measured assessment. While acknowledging Charlo, a former undisputed champion, as the clear favorite, he also emphasized Jarvis’s potential. "If I was a betting man, I’d put my house on him," Green admitted regarding Charlo. However, he quickly followed up with praise for Jarvis’s capabilities. "Brock Jarvis can punch. The kid can fight. Make no mistake," Green asserted. "He’s fit. He’s strong. The young bloke’s got a shot, and this is what the beauty of boxing is about."
The event also features the highly anticipated clash between Paul Gallen and Nelson "Big Nasty" Asofa-Solomona on Friday, November 6, available for order on Kayo Sports. This additional high-profile bout further solidifies the card’s blockbuster status, offering a compelling mix of established stars and rising contenders, all converging on the Gold Coast for what promises to be a historic night in Australian boxing.
