Tim Tsyzu vs. Brian Mendoza, Jermell Charlo, super welterweight title, WBO, Australian boxing, reaction – TOTOCC

American contender Brian Mendoza has arrived in Australia ahead of his bout with unbeaten star Tim Tszyu on October 15 for the WBO super welterweight title.

Mendoza is in form, coming off two knockouts against Jeison Rosario and Sebastian Fundora respectively, collecting the interim WBC light middleweight title with that most recent win over Fundora.

Mendoza’s match-up with the Aussie star will be for Tsyzu’s WBO super welterweight title on the Gold Coast after undisputed champion Jermell Charlo was stripped of the belt when he stepped in the ring against Canelo Alvarez last week.

Charlo was convincingly defeated by Canelo and also lost the super welterweight title because of a ruling from the WBO which stated Charlo had not contested a bout against the mandatory challenger.

The October 15 clash with Tsyzu at the Gold Coast Convention Centre shapes up as being Mendoza’s biggest fight and the American says he is leaving “no stone unturned” in preparation for his first bout outside the USA.

“We had a peaceful flight over here. We made sure we didn’t want to come out here just a few days before because it is a big time difference from America. We’re ready to go,” Mendoza told Fox Sports.

The American, who boasts a 22-2 (16 KOs) record, says he is looking forward to the “new challenge” Tsyzu presents.

“I never look past any of my opponents, how can I? I’m the underdog in this fight,” Mendoza said.

“He’s a tough fighter, a warrior. I’m just going in there and if anything I’m looking more at what I bring to the table rather than what he’s lacking.

“I think I bring something to the table that he hasn’t seen before.

“They’ve all brought different things to the table (previous opponents) and I think Tim is going to be a different type of tough.

“With Tim it’s going to be a lot of pressure and big shots because we both go for the knockout.”

Mendoza is no stranger to being the underdog, having won against more favoured opponents in his past two fights.

He will again have the underdog tag against Tsyzu, with the TAB offering $6 about Mendoza compared to Tsyzu who is at $1.13 (odds as of October 4).

This doesn’t concern the American though, who says he’s “thriving” with the undergod label placed on him.

“I’ve been using that word (relishing) and I’m thriving in this role because the victories are that much sweeter when you pull it off,” Mendoza said.

“When you go into the ring against a guy you are expected to beat, it’s not the same but upsetting the odds, upsetting the world and even shocking the world, it’s so much sweeter.

“I’m enjoying this role and I plan to be an underdog for a long time because even after this, I plan on taking tougher and tougher fights.”