It’s not the Jermell Charlo superfight boxing fans are desperate to see, but Mendoza is a dangerous opponent, even if he needs a knockout according to two-time world champion Shawn Porter.

Follow all the build-up to this afternoon’s main event with our live coverage below.

Boxing: Tszyu vs Mendoza SUN 15th OCT 12PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

10.30AM: BOXING BARISTA EYEING NATIONAL TITLE

Amber Amelia will take part in history today by fighting fellow Indigenous boxer Shannel Dargan for the Australian super bantamweight title.

The fight will be the first time two female fighters have fought for a newly designed Australian belt which now features the Indigenous flag.

The Australian National Boxing Federation voted to add the Indigenous flag to all its belts last year, with changes taking effect over the past two months.

Newcastle-based Amelia, who works as a barista around her training, wants to use the title shot as her next step towards a world title.

“I make coffee and I train. That’s pretty much my life,” she told this masthead. “I want to win world titles, that’s my goal.

“I want to win the Australian title first, then I’ll work my way up.”

10.00AM: HOW AUSTRALIA’S NEWEST BOXING IMPORT CHEATED DEATH

By Peter Badel

He is the other fighter with Russian blood on the Tim Tszyu-Brian Mendoza world-title card.

And Sergey Vorobiev admits he is lucky to be alive.

Now based in Australia, Vorobiev will kick off the Tszyu-Mendoza undercard at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Sunday when he takes on tough-as-nails NSW bush product Wade Ryan.

Like Tszyu, whose famous father Kostya learnt the art of boxing in the Soviet Union, Vorobiev is also a super welterweight who has arrived Down Under with a formidable 19-1 professional record.

Vorobiev stole the show at Saturday’s weigh-in when he repeated the famous line from Russian character Ivan Drago in the hit movie Rocky IV, staring at Ryan and saying coldly: “I must break you.”

But Vorobiev had to cheat death to continue his career in Australia after almost drowning as a Russian amateur.

Vorobiev’s Sydney-based trainer Tony Del Vecchio said the 29-year-old owes his life to fellow Russian boxer Imam Khataev, who won bronze at light-heavyweight at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“Imam saved Sergey’s life,” says Del Vecchio of the Bondi Boxing Club.

“Sergey told me a story that when they were back at home in Russia as amateurs, they were hanging out near a river and Sergey lost his balance and fell into the rapids.

“He said Imam sprinted ahead and managed to find a bridge.

“When Sergey came flying past, Imam grabbed his arm and held onto him for 15 or 20 minutes. That shows how strong Imam is.

“Had Sergey gone underneath, he says he would have been dead.

“Thankfully Imam is a beast of a man and was strong enough to save Sergey.”

Stuck in limbo in Russia amid the war with Ukraine, Vorobiev can breathe life back into his professional career by beating Ryan (21-11) in his debut on Australian soil.

The 33-year-old Ryan is a crafty southpaw who remains the only Australian boxer to knock down Tim Tszyu, dropping him in the first round of their fight in 2017 before Tszyu fought back to win.

Vorobiev has sparred with both Tim and Nikita Tszyu and Del Vecchio says he can become one of Australia’s best in the 154-pound division.

“Sergey was ranked No.2 in Australia in the Boxrec rankings behind only Tim Tszyu (at super welterweight) so that shows the ability he has,” he said.

“He’s a strong guy, very good technically, and he is going to surprise people with his ability.

“Wade Ryan is a very tough opponent, he’s done a lot of sparring our gym, he comes at you at awkward angles, but I think Sergey has the smarts to get the job done.”

9.00AM: BOXING GREAT’S TSZYU WARNING AMID JUDGE CONTROVERSY

By Brendan Bradford

Two-time world champion Shawn Porter says Brian Mendoza needs a knockout to beat Tim Tszyu, and has raised questions about the ringside judges for today’s WBO super-welterweight world title fight.

Former WBC and IBF welterweight world champion Porter jetted into the Gold Coast to commentate the blockbuster bout, and left a serious warning for his fellow American Mendoza.

“You just never know what judges are looking at sometimes,” Porter said on Saturday.

“You just have to take into account that the judges who will be there are judges who have seen Tim before.

“Their minds are trained to see Tim. They’re not trained to see both guys.

“They’re looking at it one-sided. I’m not picking on any judges or anything like that, I’m just telling you the truth.”

Porter’s comments come just days after confusion surrounding who would referee the bout.

After several names were suggested and rejected, well-respected official Mark Nelson got the gig. Nelson is the same man who refereed Jeff Horn’s heroic win over Manny Pacquiao in Brisbane in 2017.

Pacquiao’s team were furious at his performance that day, claiming Horn had been allowed to get away with “dirty tactics” all fight.

Tszyu’s camp are keen to avoid any similar controversy on Sunday, but Porter’s comments show there’s still some tension when it comes to overseas boxers fighting in Australia.

“When we do see decisions that are wrong, we can look at the judge that is way off,” he said. “Sometimes that judge is a little fixated on what they expect to see as opposed to what’s actually there.

“What I expect to see is a Brian Mendoza who’s constantly moving and bouncing and trying to keep Tim off balance.

“I don’t see Tim giving many moments away. His aggression and that he could possibly land a little more than Brian, and that being the case I think Brian could need a knockout to win this fight.”

It’s not a lost cause for Mendoza though, says Porter.

The American’s last two wins have been come-from-behind upset victories over much more fancied opponents.

While Porter doesn’t see Mendoza winning a points decision, he remains dangerous for as long as the fight continues.

“He might not have the style that impresses the judges over 12 rounds, but he has a style that keeps him live in the fight for 12 rounds,” he said. “This ain’t going to be a one or two round situation.

“Brian is super smart, super courageous and I think he’s got some tricks up his sleeve.”

One of those tricks is phenomenal power, with his wins over Jeison Rosario and Sebastian Fundora showcasing the pop he possesses in both hands.

“I think Brian’s going to be waiting on a moment,” Porter said. “He’s not all power. He’s shown power and he’s really smart, but he’s not active enough to outpoint Tim.

“All Brian needs to do is touch you. If he touches you and hurts you, he gets confidence and then he’ll come after you.

“But if he doesn’t touch you like that, he doesn’t come after you and the fight goes the way it goes.”

FULL UNDERCARD

Sam Goodman vs. Miguel Flores

Nathaniel May vs. Jackson Jon England

Shanell Dargan vs. Amber Amelia

Toese Vousiutu vs. Julius Lloyd Long

Hassan Hamdan vs. Danvers Cuschieri

Sergey Vorobiev vs. Wade Ryan

Originally published as Tim Tszyu v Brian Mendoza: Latest fight news and live coverage of title fight