Tim Tszyu dominates Takeshi Inoue to remain WBO number one contender

Australian junior middleweight Tim ‘The Soul Taker’ Tszyu 20-0 (15) kept his hopes of a world title fight alive with a dominant 12-round points win over tough Japanese boxer Takeshi Inoue 17-2-1 (10) at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia Wednesday night.

The 27-year-old Sydneysider was installed as the mandatory contender to WBO champion Brian Castano 17-0-2 (12) with a world title tilt in the offing early next year. A loss to Inoue would’ve scotched those plans. It looked like a risky fight on paper.

As it turns out, there was very little risk about it.

Tszyu dominated the fight from the first gong to last, going the championship distance for the first time in his career to win by scores of 120-107, 120-107, and 119-108.

Tszyu stalked Inoue all night, cutting off the ring and applying constant pressure. His shot selection was excellent as he kept Inoue, 31, guessing what was coming next.

By round four, Tszyu was attacking the body with both hands. Midway through the contest, a right uppercut almost decapitated Inoue on the ropes. Yet despite all the punishment he absorbed, Inoue miraculously remained on his feet.

Tszyu was credited with a phantom knockdown in the final round. Replays showed it was a punch to the shoulder that sent him down.

In the end, it didn’t matter. The result was academic.

“It was a great experience,” Tszyu said. “The guy’s built like a brick wall. Fucking hit him with anything, and he doesn’t go down. I don’t think any heavyweight could drop him.

“Hats off to him. I’m sure he’s going to be sore tomorrow. Man, what a warrior! In all honesty, I heard him squeal 20 times and he still wouldn’t go down. His face is battered. Look at his body. He’s so tough.”

The victory clears the way for Tszyu to challenge Argentinean Castano, 32, early next year. The only potential roadblock to that fight happening next is if Castano can come to terms with WBC, WBA, IBF 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo 34-1-1 (18) for a rematch following their draw in July.

Tszyu made his ambitions clear.

“Honestly, I think that was the best thing that could have happened, getting a good 12 rounds in before I hit the big time,” Tszyu said.

“I’ll be back in the gym. I gotta be more prepared than that because I need to take these guys out. I need to keep taking them all out one by one. The grind continues.

“You boys finish your little honeymoons and get back in the gym and start training. I’m coming for all of you. Every single one of you.”