Kostya Tszyu vs Diosbelys Hurtado

Three knockdowns in the opening round preceded a decisive change of tactics as Kostya Tszyu stopped Diosbelys Hurtado in the 5th at Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, on November 28, 1998. Tszyu put Hurtado down first, then went down twice himself before the round was over. He recovered to establish a damaging body attack, dropping the Cuban twice more in the 5th before referee James Jen Kin stopped the contest at 2:35. The victory secured the interim WBC super lightweight championship.

Hurtado had replaced Miguel Angel Gonzalez after the Mexican suffered a rib injury shortly before the contest. Although the full WBC championship was vacant, the sanctioning body designated this an interim title fight because Gonzalez, its leading contender, was not participating. Tszyu weighed 139 pounds and Hurtado 139¼. The Australian was rebuilding after losing his IBF championship to Vince Phillips in May 1997. Hurtado had also suffered a significant defeat that year, being stopped by Pernell Whitaker in a welterweight championship challenge after giving the American considerable difficulty.

Tszyu attacked immediately. A right hand shook Hurtado, and the punches that followed sent him down within the opening seconds. Hurtado rose quickly, but Tszyu’s attempt to finish matters brought an abrupt reversal. Advancing directly towards his opponent, he ran into a counter right that dropped him to his knees. He resumed his attack after rising, only to be caught by another right. This time he lost his footing and put his gloves on the canvas, bringing another count. Swelling developed beneath his left eye, but he continued to press. Both men landed further heavy punches before the bell; during the exchanges, Tszyu also wrestled Hurtado to the floor.

The first round had exposed the danger of Tszyu pursuing a hurt opponent without sufficient regard for the return. Hurtado’s quick counters remained a threat in the rounds that followed, but Tszyu gradually brought his heavier punching to bear. He directed more of his work downstairs, using left hooks and right hands against Hurtado’s body rather than relying entirely upon punches to the head. Hurtado continued to find openings, yet he could not consistently keep the stronger man outside. The contest remained competitive after its extraordinary beginning, with Tszyu increasingly able to impose the terms of the exchanges.

By the 5th, the accumulated punishment was taking effect. Tszyu continued to mix his attacks between head and body until a left to the midsection sent Hurtado down. The Cuban regained his feet, but another left to the body brought a second knockdown in the round. Jen Kin intervened, ending the scheduled 12-round contest. Hurtado had survived Tszyu’s early head punches and twice punished his eagerness to finish, but the sustained attack downstairs had provided a more reliable means of breaking his resistance.

The stoppage made the judges’ cards unnecessary. Through 4 rounds, Terry Smith had Tszyu ahead 38-37, and Henry Elespuru favoured him 39-37, while Anek Hongtongkam scored it 38-38. Their differing totals reflected the difficulty of assessing the opening exchanges, but all 3 awarded Tszyu the 3rd and 4th rounds. His recovery had therefore produced more than survival: after twice being caught while rushing forward, he had regained control and finished the fight through a concentrated body attack.

I like this fight because it shows both the danger in Tszyu’s aggression and the intelligence behind his recovery. He dropped Hurtado, rushed after him and got put down twice himself. Hurtado’s counter right was sharp, and Tszyu gave him the opening. That’s a mistake worth acknowledging, however much you admire the winner.

After losing to Vince Phillips, Tszyu needed to rebuild his standing. Hurtado had already troubled Pernell Whitaker, so there was good reason to respect his timing. What impressed me was Tszyu turning his attention downstairs. Those body punches gave him a way to punish Hurtado without chasing his head, and two body knockdowns finished it in the 5th.

Fans got the knockdowns and heavy exchanges they wanted, but I’d show a young boxer the adjustment. Tszyu’s power made him dangerous; recognising where to apply it won him this fight. Hurtado was beaten by sustained punishment after proving he could hurt the favourite.