Canelo vs Charlo fight: Jermell Charlo launches extraordinary tirade at ‘paper champion’ Tim Tszyu
Jermell Charlo has launched an extraordinary tirade at Tim Tszyu, deliberately mispronouncing his name and predicting Brian Mendoza will K.O. him, in an explosive media conference.
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Jermell Charlo has taken an extraordinary swipe at Tim Tszyu, calling the Aussie a “paper champion” and predicting Brian Mendoza will knock him out on October 15.
Despite being just days away from his super-middleweight world title bout with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in Las Vegas, Tszyu was clearly still at the front of the American’s mind when he spoke to the media.
Charlo and Tszyu were scheduled to fight earlier this year before the American broke his hand.
Tszyu was then blindsided when Charlo announced his move up two weight divisions to fight Canelo, instead of taking a rescheduled bout with the Australian.
Currently the undisputed super-welterweight world champion, Charlo will be stripped of his WBO title when his fight with Canelo starts on Sunday, with Tszyu being elevated from interim to full champion.
It’s a situation that clearly doesn’t sit well with Charlo.
“Tim Tszyu is considered a paper champion. If he gets the WBO (belt) and they elevate him, he’s a paper champion,” an irate Charlo told boxing broadcaster Ben Damon in Las Vegas today.
“(He’s) a champion that didn’t have to do anything. I had to do everything to get my belts.
“If Tszyu’s watching, hey, don’t be too high up on your horse because you didn’t do nothing in boxing.”
As his wild broadside continued, Charlo rehashed an old sledge aimed at Tszyu, deliberately mispronouncing his last name.
“Of course I’m gonna take a bigger opportunity against Canelo than against Tim Tazoo,” he said. “Who is Tim Tazoo? Australia knows, not the world of boxing.
“He’s not a legitimate champion. He fought (Carlos) Ocampo. Who is Ocampo? He didn’t fight tough, hard fights.
“Tell him to keep going, maybe he’ll get his opportunity.”
Charlo doubled down when told that Tszyu predicted Canelo would knock him out this weekend.
“His prediction don’t matter,” he said. “I’m going to fight and make quadruple the money he’ll probably ever see in his whole career.
“Tim Tazoo hasn’t done shit in boxing.”
After being elevated to WBO champion this weekend, Tszyu will defend the belt against Mendoza on the Gold Coast on October 15.
Charlo gave a chilling prediction for the bout, before saying he’s ready to head Down Under to party.
“Brian Mendoza’s knocking Tim Tazoo out,” he said.
“Australia, I love y’all, I’ll be coming over there to eat some kangaroo meat with y’all and hang out in Sydney and party with you.”
Meanwhile, a significantly calmer Canelo apologised to Australian boxing fans for “robbing” them of Tszyu’s showdown with Charlo.
“I’m sorry everybody. It is what it is, I’m just doing my job. Nothing personal,” he told Damon.
Tszyu has spoken about fighting Canelo in the future as the Sydneysider continues his rise in boxing.
The Mexican superstar admitted to not knowing much about Tszyu, but left the door open for a fight in the future.
“To be honest I’ve never watched him fighting,” he said. “I don’t know how he boxes, but if it makes sense to fight, it’s fine.”
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Originally published as Canelo vs Charlo fight: Jermell Charlo launches extraordinary tirade at ‘paper champion’ Tim Tszyu
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