Carolina Panthers Super Bowl gun Devin Funchess surprisingly arrived in Australia this morning wearing a White Men Can’t Jump t-shirt and warning Tim Tszyu – or ‘Timmy Foo’ – how his big cousin is about to destroy him.
Only months after retiring from the NFL – where he played eight seasons for teams like the Panthers, Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers – Funchess has jetted into Sydney to support American Tony Harrison in Sunday’s WBO world title fight against Tszyu.
The surprise arrival continues a somewhat rapidly expanding Harrison entourage, that also includes women’s boxing champ Alycia Baumgardner, undefeated rising star Charles Conwell and older brother, and head coach, LJ.
Two-time welterweight champ Shawn Porter is also in town for the Showtime broadcast.
Watch undefeated Aussie superstar Tim Tszyu return to the ring for his biggest fight yet versus USA’s former world champion Tony Harrison for an Interim WBO Super Welterweight title LIVE Sunday March 12. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >
‘Business or bi*****’ | 00:32
Back in December, Funchess revealed he was retiring from the NFL to pursue his childhood dream of playing NBA.
Yet this morning, the 2015 Super Bowl competitor arrived in Sydney with a warning for Tszyu, while sporting a t-shirt from that famed 1992 hit flick starring Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson.
Talking into his iPhone for an Instagram story, the athlete who now goes by moniker Uncle Funch took aim at Australia’s No. 1 fighter who he appeared to call Timmys Foo throughout.
Or maybe it was Timmys Fool?
Either way, the former NFL star becomes the latest in a long line of Americans keen to take the piss from one of the most famous, and respected names, in world boxing.
“G’day mate,” Funchess started in his best Australian accent.
“It’s morning time over here in Australia.
“I’ll wear this shirt, just for Timmys Foo.
“Timmys Foo didn’t know what it mean …”
So wonderfully, Uncle Funch explained it for everyone.
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“Tony Harrison got a big brother named LJ,” he said.
“And LJ’s what you call a demon on the court.
“Then he got a ‘lil cousin.
“I now go by the name of Uncle Funch.
“I’m a God on the court.
“That’s the type of confidence we come with our family Timmys Foo.
“So I see you at 10 o’clock Timmys Foo … boy.”
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Baumgardner also explained her role of supporting Harrison, who is not only now the champ’s head coach, but in February was in her corner as she unified the super featherweight division.
Asked about being dubbed chief motivator by Harrison, she said: “Well, he does that for me too.
“Tony and I, we’re competitors.
“Love what we do.
“And when you’ve got two fighters who have a vision, see a goal, two people who are always trying to outdo ourselves … it’s amazing.
“And being here now in Australia, seeing Tony so close to his own goal, it’s dope.”
Thoughts on Tszyu?
“Tim is a hungry fighter,” she said.
“He’s my age, 28, and wants to fight the best. Wants to prove himself.”
Harrison laughs off Tszyu’s KO threat | 02:15
So how does he beat Tszyu?
“Closing out the rounds strong,” Baumgardner continued.
“Tony was a champion, is a champion.
“He knows what that looks like.
“He knows what it is to go 12 rounds with a fighter like Jermell Charlo.
“Tony has more experience than Tim and I really think he’s really going to outdo himself on Sunday.”
Watch undefeated Aussie superstar Tim Tszyu return to the ring for his biggest fight yet versus USA’s former world champion Tony Harrison for an Interim WBO Super Welterweight title LIVE Sunday March 12. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >