Tim Tszyu delivered a masterclass in controlled aggression at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on 15th October 2023, retaining his WBO light middleweight title with a commanding unanimous decision victory over the durable Brian Mendoza.

Scores of 116-111, 116-112 and 117-111 told the story of a champion who, whilst unable to add to his impressive knockout tally, produced a performance of considerable merit against one of the division’s most resilient challengers.

Tszyu, fighting in front of a passionate home crowd in Queensland, improved his unblemished record to 24 wins from 24 contests with 17 stoppages. The 28-year-old had arrived at this contest on the back of a fourth-round knockout of Carlos Ocampo in June — also held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre — and came in with considerable momentum behind him.

From the opening bell, Tszyu was measured and calculated, stalking his opponent with the patience of a seasoned craftsman. The early rounds were relatively even, with Mendoza utilising sharp footwork and tidy combination work to keep the champion honest. The American challenger, whose remarkable upset stoppage of Sebastian Fundora had earned him this title opportunity, demonstrated early on that he was far from overawed by the occasion or the hostile atmosphere.

However, from the fifth round onwards, Tszyu began to impose himself with increasing authority. A crisp left uppercut followed by a left hook left a vivid bruise forming beneath Mendoza’s right eye, a telling sign of the punishment being absorbed. By the seventh, Tszyu’s right hand had become an almost unstoppable weapon — a chopping blow midway through the round rattled Mendoza’s head back sharply, before a follow-up right hand forced the challenger to hold on desperately.

The closing stages of the eighth brought one of the most dramatic moments of the contest, when Tszyu connected with a thunderous right hand in the final half-minute of the round. Somehow, remarkably, Mendoza absorbed the blow and remained upright. His granite chin and extraordinary powers of resistance were the defining feature of his performance, even if the scorecards ultimately told a one-sided tale.

The tenth and eleventh rounds saw Tszyu press home his advantage with relentless intent, pursuing Mendoza from corner to corner with a succession of heavy rights and punishing combinations. The ringside physician was called to examine cuts around Mendoza’s eyes before the final round commenced, though the fight was allowed to continue. CompuBox statistics underlined Tszyu’s dominance — the champion connected with 38% of his power punches compared to Mendoza’s 31.6%, landing 98 power shots to his opponent’s 71.

The final round saw Mendoza show admirable heart, boxing tidily at range, but it was nothing more than a courageous rearguard action. When the final bell sounded, there was little doubt about the verdict.

In a sport built on respect earned through shared sacrifice, it is fitting to acknowledge both men properly. Tim Tszyu was a class above on the night, whilst Brian Mendoza — who had never previously been stopped as a professional — gave every ounce he possessed. Both Tim Tszyu and Brian Mendoza leave the Gold Coast with their reputations enhanced, though it is the Australian who departs still wearing championship gold.

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