TIM TSZYU will still fight on June 18 despite having undergone emergency surgery to his right arm.
The Australian super-welterweight attended a barbecue on Sunday when he was bitten on the back of his right forearm by a friend’s dog, according to Fox Sports Australia
The 28-year-old is scheduled to face Mexican Carlos Ocampo in just under three weeks at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach in Queensland.
Despite the incident Tszyu’s promoter George Rose, CEO of No Limit Boxing, says the fight will go ahead.
“It’s certainly not the ideal preparation anytime a fighter ends up in hospital a few weeks out from world title fight, but the best news right now is that Tim is doing ok.
“He has the best and most experienced team around him in world boxing. They have reassured me he’ll be more than ready on June 18 to take on Ocampo.
“If they’re confident, I’m confident.”
Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings is certain that the unbeaten super-welterweight will be ready to fight.
“The wound was superficial. The post-surgical report is all good,” he said.
“There is no doubt that Tim will be ready and 100 per cent healthy and focussed to take on Carlos Ocampo on June 18.”
A win for ‘The Soul Taker’ will edge him closer to a showdown with 154lbs champion Jermell Charlo. The American recently received a deadline from the WBO that he must face his challenger no later than September 30.
Charlo has not fought since beating Brian Castano one year ago. A broken left hand in training wrecked any chance of the champion facing Tszyu on their original date of January 28.
In March Tszyu stopped Tony Harrison in nine rounds to maintain his 22-fight unbeaten record.