Big 2nd half carries Tszyu to win vs. Mendoza in first 154 title defense

Australian star continues to chase showdown with unified champion Charlo; Goodman routs Flores in co-feature

A note to Fight Freaks Unite readers: I created Fight Freaks Unite in January 2021 and eight months later it also became available for paid subscriptions for additional content — and as a way to help keep this newsletter going and for readers to support independent journalism. If you haven’t upgraded to a paid subscription please consider it. If you have already, I truly appreciate it! Also, consider a gift subscription for the Fight Freak in your life.

Tim Tszyu made a successful first defense of the WBO junior middleweight title and then resumed his chase of unified champion Jermell Charlo.

But first Tszyu had to take care of business against Brian Mendoza, who he defeated by unanimous decision in the Showtime-televised main event on Saturday night at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Australia, where it was Sunday afternoon.

Tszyu landed many tremendous punches on the iron-chinned Mendoza, who has never been knocked down, and prevailed 117-111, 116-111 and 116-112 in what he said will be his final fight at home in Australia for the foreseeable future as he plans to campaign in the United States, where he boxed once before in his 2022 Showtime debut against Terrell Gausha.

Upgrade to a paid subscription for full access to all posts and comments — and help support independent journalism