SYDNEY, Australia – The undefeated Anthony Velazquez, 29 years old and 18-1 (15KOs), was chosen as Tim Tszyu’s opponent for the occasion of Wednesday’s catchweight contest at 157lbs.

Tszyu, 31 and 25-3 (18KOs), is fighting under his new trainer Pedro Diaz for the first time. He is also attempting to rebuild following a damaging run of three defeats in four fights.

Hector Bermudez, Velazquez’s trainer, has been vocal in his criticisms of Diaz’s methods and suitability to be Tszyu’s new trainer. Velazquez and Bermudez also arrived in Tszyu’s home city considerably later than they had intended, following numerous delays. 

Ahead of the biggest fight of his career, Velazquez spoke to BoxingScene about those delays, his high-profile opponent, both trainers, the shooting at Bondi Beach, and more.

BoxingScene: How ready are you feeling, after your delayed arrival in Sydney?

Anthony Velazquez: I’m feeling good. What happened – I’m a positive thinker. I’m not thinking about that. I’ve stayed positive – that’s it.

Can you please clear up the reports regarding the length of and reasons for your delay?

I went to Denver first, and then from Denver we went to California. It took me like two days to get over here. The first day my reservation – they kind of messed up with our names [spelling my name Antony, instead of Anthony] – so they didn’t let us leave. Then I had to get rebooked for the next day, and the next day we went on the flight to Denver, and then we got to Cali and then we got delayed in Cali. We went on the airplane; they told us to get out, that we’d be back inside, and then we went back inside and they said we gotta come off [because the flight got cancelled]. So we ended up spending the night in California. I got delayed at home [in Springfield, Massachusetts], too – we were supposed to be here seven days earlier. It’s gonna be five days before the fight here.

I had to go back home, go to the gym – you have to keep working out, keep losing weight. We just gotta do what we gotta do. We was dealing with the circumstances. The second delay was pretty bad – the whole day in LA – and we had to wait until 10pm to take the Australia trip. We stay overnight in a room [which I paid for], because obviously we can’t stay in the airport – so we ended up leaving at night, at 10.30pm. It definitely adds more fuel. But I understand the things you gotta do – that’s what the ‘B’ side gotta do.

What was it then like coming face to face with Tim Tszyu for the first time?

Just off the plane, I went to the media work. Did I really wanna do it? Not really. I’m gonna be real – I didn’t wanna do it. But it is what it is. Part of the job. We were definitely tired – 15-hour flight. I don’t think there’s anybody that’s not gonna be tired. 

He’s just a regular dude – just another man. He bleeds, like me. He just looked like another regular man to me. 

How did you feel when Tszyu’s chef Omar Iferd then started attempting to provoke you at the Tszyu Fight Club?

To be honest, I thought he was a boxer himself. By the way he was talking, ‘Oh man, this guy must be a boxer’. But of course – it’s never a boxer. They say some things; I got my team. My team went back and forth with him. I’m a dude – I’m a man of not too many words. I don’t like talking too much. It’s my job – the only thing I can do is fight.

How have you adjusted to the timezone, following your late arrival, and to making weight?

I feel good. I feel like I adapted to the time early in the little bit I’ve been here, and the weight’s good.

Is Tszyu the best you’ll have fought?

To be honest I can’t even say that, because I haven’t been in the ring with him. But on paper, and to the people, and to the public, it might feel that way, but for myself… I’ve sparred a lot of world champions; I’ve worked with a lot of world champions, so I can’t really say about that. Once I share the ring with him I’ll be able to answer those questions. I don’t want to say too much – I just want to show you guys.

It’s little secret that you’re a big admirer of Miguel Cotto. To what extent does it resonate with you that Tszyu has prepared for this fight with Pedro Diaz, Cotto’s former trainer?

If he feels comfortable working with a new coach that’s up to him. He trained Miguel Cotto, but every fighter’s different. You can’t say, just because he trained Miguel Cotto, he’s gonna be Miguel Cotto. I feel like it’s just – how can I say? – it’s just a name. People are always gonna just look at the name. I’m a boxer, so I don’t think like that. It just depends who you are and who fits with your style. I know my coach [Hector Bermudez] – we fit good together. 

To what extent did you agree with Hector Bermudez’s criticisms of Diaz?

My coach knows a lot about boxing. What he says is what he believes, and he’s a very educated coach.

What about the fact that Diaz was so late to arrive in Sydney, after being with Norair “Noel” Mikaelian for Mikaelian’s victory over Badou Jack?

I’d be upset if my coach was not with me. My team, they’re with me, spiritually and mentally, so I’m over here and I’m good – I’m 100 per cent good.

How transformative can this fight be for you?

This fight will put me chasing world titles; put me right up there with the best. I’ve just got to prove myself; show the world who I am.

Have you considered how important the timing could be, with Bakhram Murtazaliev and Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou taking place on January 31?

It’ll put me with all the top ‘54s’ – put me right there in the conversation. Anybody at 154 is something to think about.

Where were you when the terrorist shooting took place on Sunday evening at Bondi Beach?

We actually just left Bondi Boxing Gym while that happened. Probably like an hour [before the shooting]. 

We just got a little light sweat in, and were just keeping getting ready for the weigh-in. I think it was pretty crazy, you know? I think it was wild. Yeah… that was terrible.

I think it’s definitely not good. It’s very sad. I just gotta put it in the back of my mind, because obviously I’ve gotta fight, but I definitely feel for the families; for the people that got shot. That’s definitely not nice. 

You’ve just gotta stay focused. There’s a lot of things that go wrong in life – you’ve just gotta be strong, mentally and physically. That’s part of life [when you’re a boxer].

Do you think it could put Tszyu under more pressure, given this is his city?

Even if it happened in your city, or not, any regular person with common sense is gonna feel like that’s definitely sad for the families – terrible for the families. Those terrible people, you know?

What is your understanding of how what happened on Sunday put your fight in jeopardy?

I had no understanding about that.