Tim Tszyu knocks out Bowyn Morgan in one to pave way for world title shot

Undefeated Australian junior middleweight Tim Tszyu 17-0 (13) moved one step closer to a world title shot with a first-round destruction of New Zealand’s Bowyn Morgan 21-2 (11) in their scheduled 10-round bout at Bankwest Stadium in Paramatta, Sydney on Wednesday night.

The 26-year-old Sydneysider had Morgan, 31, on the deck twice in the opening frame. The first knockdown came courtesy of a left hook and while Morgan beat the count, he wouldn’t be on his feet for long. A right cross sent Morgan sprawling halfway across the ring, forcing referee John Cauchi to immediately halt the contest at the 1:54 mark.

Despite the early finish, Tszyu said it was made to look easy due to all the hours preparation he puts in during camp.

"It was countless hours in the gym. This doesn’t happen without all the hard training that I do," Tszyu said. "I was just getting started."

Earlier this week it was announced that if Tszyu was successful against Morgan, he could land an immediate shot at the WBO 154-pound title against number one contender Brian Castano 16-0-1 (12).

The undefeated Argentinean is overdue to challenge reigning champion Patrick Teixeira 31-1 (22) but the Brazilian southpaw’s visa issues have stalled the fight.

“They know the situation, if he doesn’t get it in time, he’s going to be stripped of the title and Castano and Tszyu is on the cards,” WBO chairman Danny Leigh said to WA Today.

“Obviously the winner of that would have to fight Teixeira, because he’s not being demoted for any other reason than visas. It’s a very good opportunity. Tim has got to be on point tomorrow, but it’s awesome for Australian boxing. I’m very happy to be involved with that.”

Tszyu is confident his first world title shot can take place in his hometown.

"You guys know what’s next. The world title, here in Sydney," he said.

"I’m an Aussie born here, and I wanna be an Aussie – for my Russian fans also, upmost respect to you guys too – this is for everyone.

"I only want one thing, a world title, here in Australia."

In the main support bout heavyweight Paul Gallen 10-0-1 (5) overcame some rocky moments to outpoint former mixed martial artist Mark Hunt 0-2-1 over six rounds by scores of 59-55 an 58-56 twice.

Super featherweight Paul ‘Showtime’ Fleming 26-0-1 (17) had his 10-round bout against Bruno Tarimo 25-2-2 (5) cut short when an accidental clash of heads opened a cut over his right eye. The premature end came at the conclusion of round three when the ringside physician deemed the injury too severe to continue.

Southpaw Fleming was having his first fight in two years.

Switch-hitting lightweight sensation Liam Wilson 8-0 (6) scored a third-round knockout of Rodynie Rafol 14-9-2 (7) in their six-round bout. A left hook from Wilson spun Rafol around 180 degrees and a follow-up hook left him draped over the top rope.

Rafol managed to beat the count and survive the few remaining seconds of the round but was withdrawn from the fight between rounds by his corner.

Wilson was having his third fight for the year.

Junior welterweight Darragh ‘Super’ Foley 19-4-1 (9) had to rely on all his experience and guile to turn back the challenge of Ty ‘Trigger’ Telford 6-1-1 (2) in their 10-round tiff.

The early rounds were keenly contested with southpaw Foley boxing and Telford pressuring with the harder shots. In the eighth Telford scored a knockdown with a right hand high on Foley’s head that sent him through the ropes.

Foley finished the fight strongly in the final two rounds to clinch a split decision victory by scores of 97-93, 95-94 and 93-96.

At lightweight Tyson Lantry 8-3 (3) sprung the upset on Luke ‘Action’ Jackson 19-2 (8), scoring a six-round majority decision 60-54, 58-57 and 57-57.

The fight was fast paced with many of the rounds close. Jackson was cut over the right eye in the third round from an accidental clash of heads. Lantry appeared to land the sharper, harder punches and walked Jackson down in the second half of the fight.

Jackson only other loss was to Carl Frampton in a 2018 fight for the interim WBO featherweight title.

In earlier action junior middleweight Riccardo Colosimo 4-0 (3) was awarded a first-round knockout victory over Dillon Bargero 5-12 (3) when the fight was stopped due to a cut under Bargero’s left eye. Replays showed the cut was actually caused by a headclash.

Junior welterweight Trent Girdham 2-0 outpointed debutant Oscar Doane 0-1 over four. Girdham had Doane on the canvas early in the opening round with one of the first right hands of the fight to win by scores of 40-35, 39-36 and 40-35.