'Destroyed him': Tim Tszyu calls out rivals after walkover
Tim Tszyu has marched through last-minute challenger Steve Spark in three rounds to further his case for a world title bid.
Spark, who accepted the fight at the last minute after Michael Zerafa pulled out, won the respect of Tszyu but was ultimately clearly outclassed by the world champion aspirant.
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The Newcastle fighter dominated from the outset, and arguably could have ended the fight in the second round after a barrage of destructive left-handers to have the late fill-in literally on his knees.
The referee eventually stopped the fight, maybe even later than he could and should have, halfway through the third round following two more telling body shots from Tszyu.
Spark won plenty of plaudits for even stepping in to the ring in the so-called "Tszyu-castle" kingdom, where Tszyu and his legendary father Kostya are now unbeaten in nine bouts over more than a quarter of a century.
"Look, It's all business," Tszyu said.
"For myself, I've got one objective in my mind. That's to take out whoever possible is in front of me. That's quite simple.
"I've got all respect for Steve Spark, who came in (late). He's got an incredible career in front of him."
The victory improved Tszyu's record to 15 knockouts from 19 fights as the 26-year-old WBO world No.1-ranked contender marched, ominously, another step towards emulating his famous father Kostya and becoming a world champion.
Boxing fans impressed by Tim Tszyu demolition job
Spark was perhaps first to admit he had been outclassed, declaring after the fight that Tszyu was world champion material.
“I’m glad that my name gets to go down on his resume,” Spark said.
“He’s a future world champion that bloke and I’m glad I got to share the ring with him.”
The extent of Tszyu's domination though was perhaps best summed up by a combination of brutal shots early in the third round.
“The first one put him down but the second absolutely destroyed him,” commentator Ben Damon called on Main Event.
Fans on social media were impressed by the clinical display.
Well Tszyu made that a training run. Hats off to Spark on a weeks notice who tried to make a fight of it but fell short. Those body shots suck #TszyuSpark
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) July 7, 2021
like his father, Tim Tszyu is a KILLER. no wasted movement or energy. 19-0 with 15 KO’s. time to come across the pond and get in there with the Top 10 guys at 154 and show everyone what he’s made of. #boxing #TszyuSpark #TszyuCrewForLife
— The Sicilian Shooter (Saifullah) (@vinnie_paz) July 7, 2021
Poor old Stevie Spark has ribs like chopsticks now.
Brutal from Tszyu.
Hope he can get on a plane soon and take on the world.— Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) July 7, 2021
Props to Steve Spark, stepped up to fight Tim Tszyu and tried to KO him out on 7 days’ notice. That’s balls. The excuse-makers will be forgotten, Spark turned up and did what Zerafa wouldn’t do. Aus boxing moves on #TszyuSpark
— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) July 7, 2021
After his victory, Tszyu re-affirmed his desire to be the best in the world.
“For myself, I’ve got one objective in my mind and that’s take whoever is in front of me out,” Tszyu said in the ring.
“All respect to Stevie Spark for coming in, he’s got a big career in front of him but again, this my ring, this is my division.
“Liam Smith, (Magomed) Kurbanov and Danny Garcia, they’re the guys I’m going for. If you’re watching boy, I’m coming for you.”
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