Australian boxer Jack Brubaker has called his famous opponent Nikita Tszyu “a strange cat” ahead of their Super Welterweight battle on August 23.
The two were involved in a bizarre exchange at the double-header press conference as Tszyu looks to continue his unbeaten record.
Brubaker, who was late to the press conference, beat Troy O’Meley last month and has won 17 of his 23 career fights.
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The 31-year-old started off his strange exchange by saying he wouldn’t go to Tszyu’s house for a barbecue.
“I’m just looking forward to getting in there with him, I’m glad I’m in there boxing him in the ring, Nikita’s got a bit of a weird vibe about him,” he said.
“I wouldn’t go back to his house if he invited me over for a barbecue, I tell you that … I’d wake up with his dogs licking my toes out the back tied up to a chair.
“He’s a strange cat but he can fight and I’m looking forward to putting on a good show, it’s going to be a cracker.”
Given the chance to reply, Tszyu explained the description wasn’t too far off.
“Pretty much yeah, that’s a very good description of me,” he said.
“I’d probably say the same thing about you, it’s not the usual scene to see someone walking around with a cowboy hat and belt buckle like that but look it’s a beautiful personality you have.
“You’ve got a bubbliness to you, I respect it, you’re unique and you own it, that’s a good thing.”
Brubaker simply replied with an awkward “thank you” before Tszyu was asked by Main Event presenter Ben Damon if he’d invite his opponent over for a barbecue.
“No probably not, sorry,” he said.
“I only bring my friends over, don’t mean to be awkward or anything.”
Amid the bizarre back and forth between both fighters, Brubaker had a message for his detractors too.
The Australian’s fight with O’Meley was his first in 27 months, having lost to Steve Spark in Wollongong.
Baby Tszyu demolishes rival in crazy beatdown
Brubaker explained any doubters in his ability to back up and fight Tszyu should remember how much experience he has.
“All of these people that watched that performance against Troy, it’s two and a half years out of the ring (and they’re) saying I’m not ready for Nikita, I’ve been in 23 wars doing this for a long time, I’m ready, I’m hungry, this is a good fight,” he said.
“They’re the same people that after Nikita fought Ben Horn (in 2022) saying Nikita wasn’t ready.
“For me so it’s just water off a duck’s back all these commenters and I’m just going to prove myself, prove my family, prove my gym, prove Australia, that I’ve got what it takes to be back on top.”
Tszyu will share the main event title with super featherweight star Liam Wilson who hasn’t fought since February when he lost his world title fight.
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