Tim Tszyu wanted to do to Carlos Ocampo what Sugar Ray Leonard did to Roberto Duran in their famous second fight.
Tszyu, a leading contender in the junior middleweight, faces the veteran Mexican boxer on Saturday night (Sunday in Australia) at Broadbeach, Queensland (Showtime).
The Australians want to get Ocampo to quit, as Leonard did with Duran in 1980.
“I had these two Spanish words in mind: ‘No mother,‘,” Tsayu said at his last press conference before the event. “That’s the kind of fight I intend to do. That was my intention.”
Tim Tszyu (right) plans to make Carlos Ocampo quit. Image Chris Hyde / Getty
That’s not to say that Tszyu (22-0, 16 KOs) doesn’t respect Ocampo, Ensenada’s prolific boxer.
Tszyu’s confidence is soaring after consecutive wins over Terrell Gausha and Tony Harrison. He desires to destroy anyone his manager makes him fight.
“I think [my mentality] just based on the position I’m in,” said Tszyu, who is expected to challenge undisputed champion Jermell Charlo in the fall. “It has nothing to do with him. He is a top fighter.
“Whoever they put before me, I will destroy them. If it’s King Kong, shark or pit bull, I’ll be back for another round. I think this will be my greatest victory.”
Meanwhile, Ocampo (35-2, 23 KOs) insists that Tszyu will surprise.
Tszyu’s father, Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, defeated Julio Cesar Chavez in 2000 but the Mexican legend was already in decline by that time. Ocampo, 27, said the next-generation Tszyu is facing a hungry Mexican.
“On June 18, he’ll understand what it’s like to meet a Mexican,” Ocampo said through an interpreter. “I will beat Tim Tszyu, make no mistake. … We Mexicans are different. We are great warriors, we are real, we come to fight.
“This [in Mexico] Boxers fight for tomorrow’s breakfast and the rest of the world doesn’t understand it. I will fight to bring home the title.”
