Tim Tszyu boxed well and let fly with punishing combinations en route to a dominant 10-round points win over America's unbeaten Anthony Velazquez.

Former WBO junior middleweight champion Tszyu (26-3, 18 KOs) made his debut under new head trainer Pedro Diaz and threatened a stoppage, leaving Velazquez cut and bloodied during their main event at TikTok Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia.

Two 100-90 scorecards and a 100-91 card told the story, though some were left underwhelmed that he didn't crown his much-anticipated return with a highlight reel finish before Christmas week to end a whirlwind 2025.

"Boxing is a rollercoaster of a ride, up-and-down emotions but I'm very blessed to be in this position, thank everyone from the bottom of my heart, everyone who has stuck by me, I appreciate your love," Tszyu said when addressing the Sydney crowd post-fight.

"I wanted to just feel comfortable, not go for the knockout and get reckless. In the past, that's what came wrong, wanted to take my time, use the jab, got all the skills but need to apply them. I'm pretty happy with the scorecards against a tough, game opponent who came swinging until the very end, he's got pop and I didn't wanna come in and cop one."

Former IBF junior welterweight champion Liam Paro on commentary said Velazquez (18-1-1, 15 KOs) may have underestimated him, though there was clearly a skill disparity between them.

Embracing his new Phoenix nickname, the nine-year pro unleashed three and four-punch combinations while sharp uppercuts were his weapon of choice whenever Velazquez was pinned back against the ropes.

The visitor's trainer, Hector Bermudez, implored his charge to stop Tszyu walking him down so intently after three rounds and eventually warmed into the contest behind his left hook.

Whether to head or body, he intermittently had success whenever the 31-year-old inched closer to range, even if the punch statistics were firmly in the home favourite's favour.

Boasting a 105-39 advantage through five rounds, Tszyu could've finished it in rounds six and seven after connecting on a big right hand in the opening minute of the sixth frame.

That punch opened up a nasty cut underneath Velazquez's left eye almost immediately as a gaping wound needed treatment in the corner, as well as a doctor's assessment between rounds.

It could've been stopped in the next stanza, though Tszyu paced himself and the Massachusetts man was able to grit his teeth through serious discomfort, finishing strong in the final few minutes of a fight many didn't expect him to hear the final bell in.