Boxing 2022: Tim Tszyu to fight either Tony Harrison or Bakhram Murtazaliev in massive gamble

“I’ll take on any of the top guns in my division.” Tim Tszyu isn’t interested in waiting around as he risks his chance to become an undisputed champion after Jermell Charlo quit their showdown.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 26: Tim Tszyu (white with blue trunks) v Terrell Gausha (white with red and gold trunks) box in the Super Welterweight main event at the Armory on March 26, 2022 in Minneapolis, United States. Tszyu, in his USA debut defeated Gausha by judges decision. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Tim Tszyu will take the biggest gamble of his career by fighting either Tony Harrison or Bakhram Murtazaliev in March, in a fight likely to be staged in Australia.

News Corp Australia can reveal negotiations are now down to just those two world-ranked fighters, and Tszyu will risk his chance to fight undisputed super-welterweight champion Jermell Charlo — who pulled out of their January 28 showdown after breaking his hand — in order to stay active.

It is a courageous move, considering that if Tszyu loses the fight, his chance at the undisputed titles will go down the gurgler.

But the Australian boxer is hungry for action, and rather than sit on his hands waiting for Charlo to recover, will enter the ring against Harrison — the only man to defeat Charlo — or undefeated Russian warrior Murtazaliev.

Tim Tszyu on his way to defeating Terrell Gausha by judges decision in his US debut this year. Picture: AFP

“I’m happy to fight the best in the division that are available and ready to go, Murtazaliev is No. 1 ranked, Harrison is still a top contender, honestly I’ll take on any of the top guns in my division,” Tszyu told News Corp Australia from Las Vegas.

“Clearly undisputed was my goal and still is and I’ll be ready for Charlo when he recovers. But no time to waste so I’ll let my manager and promoters get the deal done.

“Meantime, camp USA goes on and I’m pumped for whoever is next in line.”

Tszyu’s fight against Charlo was scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, and while he has now relocated to Sin City from Los Angeles and will continue his preparations there, it’s understood that Australia leads the race to host his March bout.

“There a real chance this next fight will be in Australia, and I’m excited to fight in front of another stadium full of Aussie supporters,” Tszyu said.

Murtazaliev, who has the same professional record as Tszyu of 21-0 with 15 knockouts, has stepped aside three times as the IBF’s No. 1 mandatory contender, so Charlo could fight Brian Castano twice for the undisputed belts, and then face WBO No. 1 Tszyu.

Undefeated Russian boxer Bakhram Murtazaliev is in line to fight Tim Tszyu next.

He was given an agreement that the winner of Tszyu-Charlo would fight him next, so has emerged as one of the leading candidates now Charlo is facing a lengthy stint out of the ring.

But Harrison also has strong claims, being the No. 3 ranked WBO fighter, and holding the only victory over Charlo when he scored a unanimous 12-round decision over him for the WBC title.

The following year, Charlo avenged that loss by stopping Harrison (29-3-1, 21KO) in the 11th round of another brutal war.

Harrison most recently claimed the WBC Silver belt by defeating Spaniard Sergio Garcia in April.

Whoever Tszyu’s camp settles on, the opponent will provide a serious threat to derail his ambitions to become an undisputed champion.

Tim Tszyu aims to fight either Tony Harrison or Bakhram Murtazaliev in March to stay active in the game.

Negotiations with Harrison, Murtazaliev, and US promoters about the venue for the March bout are expected to be finalised in coming weeks.

Tszyu will remain in the US for an extended period, and should the fight be held in Australia, it’s expected he’ll return home a couple of weeks prior.

Originally published as Boxing 2022: Tim Tszyu to fight either Tony Harrison or Bakhram Murtazaliev in massive gamble