Negotiations progressing for Jeff Horn vs. Tim Tszyu

A major all-Aussie showdown is looking more and more likely. Negotiations continue for a crossroads bout between Jeff Horn and Tim Tszyu, with Tszyu’s side recently accepting a 60-40 revenue split in Horn’s favor and the fight taking place in “Brisbane or a neutral location.”

From Ben Damon:

“Those are the points that have been put to the Tszyu camp and as recently as this morning they’ve confirmed they’re happy to go ahead and accept those conditions… there’s a little more to be done with things like who controls the promotion, and exactly where this fight does end up.

“But we do have a fight between Tim Tszyu and Jeff Horn. Still some negotiations need to take place but we’re a lot closer than we have been at any other stage, given the Tszyu camp have accepted those two key demands.

“It looks like we can get down to the nitty gritty, sort out the rest of it and get this fight done.”

“Most likely, this fight will take place in April, and it can be done as the next fight for these two fighters,” concluded Damon.

Horn (20-2-1, 13 KO) was last seen avenging a shock knockout loss to Michael Zerafa, dropping his man twice to secure a wild majority decision. He’s now 2-1 since falling to Terence Crawford in the second defense of the WBO title he controversially claimed from Manny Pacquiao, having flattened Anthony Mundine in a single round.

Tszyu (15-0, 11 KO), son of Hall of Famer Kostya, has thus far faced decent domestic competition during his rise. His four-fight 2019 included a decision over Dwight Ritchie, who tragically died in a freak sparring accident not long after, and a December knockout of Jack Brubaker.

He was born in Sydney, Horn in Brisbane, hence the location negotiations.

Compared to, say, Horn vs. Mundine, this seems like a proper domestic grudge match between two capable fighters. Could be a quality scrap.