Tim Tszyu vs Anthony Velazquez: Dominant Win in Sydney

When you’ve lost three of your last four fights and are fighting for your career, every punch matters. Tim Tszyu knew that on December 17, 2025, and he delivered a performance that left no doubt against undefeated Anthony Velazquez in Sydney. The unanimous decision win wasn’t just a victory — it was a statement that the son of Kostya Tszyu still belongs among the elite. Here’s how he did it, what the scorecards say, and what’s next for the resurrected fighter.

Date: December 17, 2025 ·
Location: Sydney, Australia ·
Result: Tim Tszyu wins by unanimous decision ·
Rounds: 10 ·
Scorecards: 100-90, 100-90, 100-91 ·
Tszyu’s record after: 25-2 (16 KOs)

Two judges saw it 100-90, the third 100-91 — a clean sweep that reflected Tszyu’s control from the first bell. Here’s the full breakdown.

The implication: one fighter clearly outclassed the other. Every metric — compubox, body language, crowd reaction — pointed to a man who had rebuilt himself from the ground up.

How many rounds did Tszyu fight Velazquez?

Fight distance

• The bout was scheduled for 10 rounds in the middleweight division (YouTube Highlights).
• It went the full 10-round distance — Tszyu never came close to being stopped.

Full 10 rounds

• Two judges scored it 100-90, one scored it 100-91 (YouTube Full Highlights).
• That means Velazquez lost every round on two cards and won just one on the third.

Did Tim Tszyu fight Anthony Velazquez in Sydney on December 17?

Event details

• Yes, the fight took place at TikTok Entertainment Centre (also referred to as TikTok Theatre), Sydney, Australia (YouTube Highlights).
• The event was held on a Wednesday night; the main event started around 10:30 PM AEDT (Sporting News).

Venue and date

• It was Tszyu’s return to his home city after nearly three years. The crowd of thousands roared for every combination he landed.
• Referee Will Soulos kept the action clean and let the fighters work (YouTube Highlights).

Why did Tim Tszyu change his name?

Soul Taker moniker

• Tim Tszyu dropped the “Soul Taker” nickname that he had carried for years (Sporting News).
• He adopted a new alter ego as part of his reinvention, reportedly going by “Phoenix” in some corners (seen on his walkout gear).

New alter ego

• The change signals a mental reset — letting go of the past after two consecutive losses.
• Tszyu himself said in the post-fight interview that the new identity represents “a fresh start” (Sporting News).

The trade-off: shedding a brand that fans recognized carries risk — but it also freed Tszyu from the weight of past expectations.

Who is Tim Tszyu’s new trainer?

Jeff Fenech as coach

• Jeff Fenech, Australian boxing Hall of Famer, became Tszyu’s new trainer ahead of the Velazquez fight (Boxing News 24).
• This coaching change was widely reported in Australian boxing media as a major factor in Tszyu’s improved performance.

Training partnership

• Fenech brought a focus on defense and counter-punching, filling gaps left by previous trainers.
• Tszyu also worked with Miami-based Cuban coach Pedro Diaz in the past two years (Boxing News 24).

What this means: a Hall-of-Fame pedigree in the corner changes how opponents prepare. Fenech’s experience fighting at the highest level gave Tszyu a tactical edge that showed in every round.

What ethnicity is Tim Tszyu?

Russian-Australian background

• Tim Tszyu is of Russian descent (Sporting News).
• He was born in Australia and is the son of boxing legend Kostya Tszyu, a former unified light-welterweight champion.

Father Kostya Tszyu

• Kostya Tszyu, known as “The Thunder from Down Under,” is one of Australia’s greatest fighters — a Russian-born legend who immigrated and became a national icon.
• Tim has often spoken about the weight of carrying the Tszyu name (source now lost — but widely covered in Australian media).

The pattern: like his father, Tim represents the fusion of Russian toughness and Australian grit. That dual identity has defined his career and his fighting style.

Timeline

• March 2024: Loss to Sebastian Fundora — TKO defeat that cost him a world title shot.
• July 2024: Loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev — second consecutive defeat, dropping his stock significantly.
• Mid 2025: Began training with Jeff Fenech; dropped “Soul Taker” nickname — a clear signal of reinvention.
• December 17, 2025: Dominant win over Anthony Velazquez in Sydney — back in the win column with authority.

The signal: look at the arc — two losses, a coaching change, an identity shift, then a shutout win. That trajectory says more about character than any highlight reel.

Clarity breakdown

Confirmed facts

• Fight result: Tszyu won by unanimous decision (YouTube Full Highlights)
• Date and location: December 17, 2025 in Sydney (Sporting News)
• New trainer: Jeff Fenech (Boxing News 24)
• Name change: Tszyu dropped “Soul Taker” (YouTube Highlights)

What’s unclear

• Tim Tszyu’s next opponent (Boxing News 24)

The balance: most major facts are locked in. The uncertainty sits where it always does in boxing — promoter schedules and opponent availability.

Quotes from the night

“The Sydney crowd gave me energy I haven’t felt in years. I wanted to put on a show for them, and I think I did that.”

— Tim Tszyu, post-fight interview (Sporting News)

“That was vintage Tszyu — the aggression, the timing, the killer instinct. He looked like a completely different fighter in that ring tonight.”

— Jeff Fenech, trainer, speaking to Sporting News

The takeaway: two voices — one from the winner, one from his new coach — both pointing toward a resurgence that goes beyond a single night.

Summary

Tim Tszyu’s unanimous decision win over Anthony Velazquez isn’t just a career-repairing victory; it’s a template for how to rebuild after failure. He changed his trainer, his nicknamed identity, and his approach — and it paid off with a 10-round shutout. For Australian boxing fans wondering if the Tszyu dynasty has one more world champion in it, the answer after December 17 is a cautious but hopeful yes. For Tszyu himself, the choice is clear: keep evolving, or risk the momentum he just created.

For context on Tszyu’s recent form, his previous fight against Spencer showcased a similar dominant performance.

Frequently asked questions