Tim Tszyu’s first defense of his interim boxing world title may be jeopardized due to a dog bite incident that resulted in surgery on his right forearm. Tszyu sustained the injury at a barbecue and was subsequently taken to the hospital. The incident occurred just weeks before his scheduled WBO super welterweight title fight against Carlos Ocampo on June 18.
Despite the setback, Tszyu’s camp remains optimistic about his recovery and ability to defend the title he won in March. The wound was described as superficial but required treatment from the team doctor and a surgeon. Tszyu’s manager, Glen Jennings, expressed confidence in Tszyu’s readiness for the fight.
The incident, however, will undoubtedly impact Tszyu’s preparation for the crucial bout, as he aims to secure a unification fight against Jermell Charlo later this year. The CEO of No Limit and Tszyu’s promoter, George Rose, acknowledged the suboptimal circumstances but emphasized Tszyu’s resilience and the support of his experienced team.
Rose stated:
“While I was initially shocked and concerned, the most important thing is that Tim is doing well. It’s not an ideal situation for a fighter to end up in the hospital just weeks before a world title fight. However, I have full confidence in Tim’s abilities and the expertise of his team. They have assured me that he will be more than ready to face Ocampo on June 18. If they’re confident, I’m confident.”
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