Tim Tszyu has personally invited Billy Dib to sit ringside for his WBO world title blockbuster at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday – his way of paying homage to the friend who has this year been undergoing the biggest fight of his own life.
A genuine fight favourite among Australian sports fans, Dib has captured the nation’s heart over the past four months with his ongoing, and public, battle with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Despite having endured the toughest of journeys, the 37-year-old Sydney father has received worldwide support for not only his handling of the fight, but also the honesty with which he continues to document his journey.
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Initially diagnosed with stomach cancer last October, Dib has since finished chemotherapy treatment and revealed wonderfully on Monday afternoon that he is in remission.
Fox Sports Australia can also reveal that Tszyu has already reached out this week to his fellow fighter and, with the blessing of promoter No Limit, offered up ringside seats for Sunday’s blockbuster against American Tony Harrison.
Tszyu said if his mate feels up to it, he wants him to be front row so he can feel the love that is out there for him among not only fight fans, but the wider Australian public.
“Billy is facing a really tough battle right now,” Tszyu said on Monday during a harbour cruise that doubled as his WBO world title fight week launch, and before Dib announced his good news via Twitter.
“And if he wants to be there for the fight this Sunday, I’d love to have him there 100 per cent.
“He and I, we have a great relationship.
“He’s always been so supportive.
“So I’m really wishing Billy the very best with what’s going on.”
Tszyu and Harrison face-off! | 00:38
Both Tszyu and No Limit have offered Dib the ringside tickets so that he can feel the love being carried for him right across the country.
“It’s not just for Billy Dib the boxer,” Tszyu stressed.
“It’s because of the person he is.
“Billy has such a kind heart. Has always been there to support me.
“So if he wants to come this Sunday I want to have him there.”
Despite having endured the most painful of battles, Dib has spoken at great length publicly about his ongoing fight – and personal fears — so that it may help, and inspire, others.
On Monday afternoon, the fighter took to Twitter, revealing: “AlhamdAllah (thanks to God), I received the most beautiful news today. My scan came back clear of cancer. I am so grateful, blessed, happy and relieved. Thank you God, my health team, my family and all of you, for your prayers, encouragement and support to help me get here.”
In an emotional interview with Main Event’s Ben Damon this past week, Dib talked through his cancer battle – and the love he has for his wife, Berry, and young son.
Asked the words he wanted to hear from his doctor this week, Dib said: “I think the most important he could say to me is ‘I’ve got some great news for you, you’re in remission’.
“That would just … that would be one of the happiest times of my life because – while nothing is guaranteed — it means that I’m going to be around for my wife and my son.
“To be able to hear them words from him ‘hey Billy you done a great job man, you went through the wars but you’re here and in remission’ … I’d be so grateful to God.
“I really don’t want to die. I don’t want to die.
“But I understand … I’m just grateful for time.
“Because some people they don’t even get to say goodbye to their loved ones
“They die in a car accident or they get taken in a tragic way.
“But God has given me the ability to tell my loved ones I love them – my mum, my dad, my siblings, my wife, my friends, cousins and most importantly my son.
“Who I tell I love every single day, a thousand times a day.
“So if I could just hear those words, ‘you’re in remission’ because … um, chemotherapy really hurts, man.
“It does.
“And he was to say to me ‘you’re not in remission, and you have to go through it again’, I don’t know if I could do it.”
Back in 2015, Dib lost his first wife Sara to leukaemia.
However the man who won the IBF featherweight title in 2011 is now using his own battles to help others.
Promoters No Limit have also offered Dib the opportunity to be at Wednesday night’s Fox Sports card where young fighter Brock Jarvis headlines.
“God has given me this platform,” Dib said of his decision to document his cancer battle. “And I feel like people are watching closely.”