Tim Tszyu vs Erislandy Lara, Danny Green tips Aussie to win world title on Gold Coast

Danny Green knows what it feels like to walk into a packed stadium with a country behind you.

You feel superhuman.

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And the former world champ believes Tim Tszyu is about to experience that rush again – and is backing the Aussie to dethrone Erislandy Lara on a night being billed as one of the most significant in Australian boxing history.

Tszyu will challenge for Lara’s WBA middleweight crown at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on Sunday, December 13, headlining a stacked card that also features Jermell Charlo against Brock Jarvis and Liam Wilson’s world title shot against Elnur Samedov.

For Green, the excitement stretches well beyond the main event.

“It’s huge. It’s exciting for boxing in Australia. It’s exciting for boxing around the world,” Green said during the announcement.

“It’s putting Aussies on the map, and it’s giving the rest of the world a bit of a taste about what we’re all about in Australian boxing, and I’m very confident that Tim Tszyu’s gonna win against Lara.”

Tszyu has the chance to become a two-division world champion, with Green believing the opportunity has arrived at precisely the right moment.

“I just believe that Tim Tszyu’s time is now,” he said.

“The time is right for him.”

But that confidence comes with a warning about the crafty Cuban who will be standing in the opposite corner next month.

Lara might be 43, yet Green sees a fighter whose timing, accuracy and ring smarts continue to make him a dangerous puzzle to solve.

“Lara’s probably closer to 44 than he is 43, so he’s no spring chicken, but Lara’s dangerous,” Green said.

“And he’s a sharpshooter. He’s smart. He’s extremely experienced, and he’s cagey.

“With him, age really is just a number.”

There is a personal connection for The Green Machine, too.

Two of his former trainers will be in opposing corners, with Jeff Fenech working with Tszyu and decorated Cuban trainer Ismael Salas guiding Lara.

It adds another layer to a showdown Green reckons could deliver a special moment for the Australian.

“To fight in front of a packed stadium, particularly your home country, it’s really hard to describe the feeling that you have when you’re walking out to a stadium that’s got tens of thousands of people,” he said.

“And there’s so many people at home watching you and supporting you and want to see you win.

“It’s quite an incredible feeling. You feel superhuman, and I’m sure that Tim Tszyu is gonna feel that way, come fight night.”

Top boxing pundit Peter Badel believes the depth of the card puts it in rare company.

While Jeff Horn’s famous showdown with Manny Pacquiao in 2017 remains a benchmark for boxing in this country, Badel suggested the Gold Coast event could give it a run for its money.

“This is one of the most significant events we’ll see in Australian boxing history,” Badel said.

He pointed to the combination of Tszyu fighting for a world title, former undisputed super welterweight champ Charlo returning after three years out, and Wilson receiving another opportunity to become a world champion.

And Green is backing Wilson to make the most of his chance against Russia’s Samedov.

The unlucky Queenslander has endured heartbreak in previous world title challenges, but Green believes those experiences can help him get over the line at home.

“This kid’s the real deal, Liam Wilson. He’s a puncher. He’s a banger,” Green said.

“He’s never been in a fight that hasn’t been exciting.”

Green expects another crowd-pleasing performance – and believes this one will finish with a belt around Wilson’s waist.

“He’s all action. He’s a real Aussie battler, and I’m very, very confident that Liam Wilson’s learned so much in the previous world title fights,” he said.

“Coming into this one, I think he’s gonna be victorious, and we’re gonna have another world champion in the sport of boxing in this country, which is just phenomenal.”

His assessment of Jarvis’ fight was a bit more restrained.

Against Charlo, the Sydneysider faces a former undisputed champion whose presence on the card also brings Tszyu’s long-running rivalry with the American back into focus.

Badel admitted he feared Jarvis could be out of his depth, while noting Charlo’s long absence creates uncertainty.

Green agreed the American was the clear favourite.

“If I was a betting man, I’d put my house on him,” he said.

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But the former champion was equally adamant Jarvis had the power and physical tools to make his opportunity count.

“Brock Jarvis can punch. The kid can fight. Make no mistake,” Green said.

“He’s fit. He’s strong.

“The young bloke’s got a shot, and this is what the beauty of boxing is about.”