Tim Tszyu set to challenge for world title on Australian soil

Australian boxing star Tim Tsyzu’s world title hopes have been given a boost with a challenger and a date now locked in.

Tim Tszyu vs Terrell Gausha. Photo: Adam Bettcher/Getty Images/AFP.

Tim Tzsyu’s next steps on his quest for a super-welterweight world title have been revealed, with the top-ranked fighter set to challenge for the WBO championship in Australia on March 12.

The 28-year-old will attempt to win his maiden world title in his first fight on home soil since defeating Japan’s Takeshi Inoue by unanimous decision in November 2021.

Current champion Jermell Charlo broke his hand in sparring and announced he would not be able to defend against Tszyu in Las Vegas in January and the WBO has now announced its future plans.

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News broke early on Monday morning via Fox Sports that the WBO had named Tszyu as a mandatory challenger for the injured Charlo’s world title, and will face off against former champ Tony Harrison, the only man to defeat Charlo in professional boxing.

DONE DEAL! Tim Tszyu (21-0, 15KO) 🇦🇺 will fight Tony Harrison (29-3-1, 21KO) 🇺🇸 Sunday 12 March at an Australian venue TBA. Tszyu is mandatory challenger for injured Jermell Charlo’s undisputed world title while former champ Harrison gave Charlo his only pro defeat #TszyuHarrisonpic.twitter.com/pASCyz6yPl

— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) January 22, 2023

The winner of the fight in March will face Charlo for the undisputed world title later in the year.

Harrison is ranked second with the WBC and third by the WBO, but that hasn’t fazed Tzsyu, who is looking forward to Australian support for the fight.

“Every fight you take is all on the line,” he said.

“You’re one punch away from going back to the very bottom.

“It’s all on the line and a gamble, but this is what I do.

“I’m at that stage of my career that I don’t really care who is in front of me.

“I’m ready to take them all out.”

Former world champion Tony Harrison is in the sights of Australia's boxing star Tim Tszyu.

Tim Tszyu trains in Los Angeles in preparation for his world title fight against Jermell Charlo. Photo courtesy of No Limit Boxing/Grant Trouville.

Harrison has a record of 29 wins, three losses and a draw, with one of those losses coming by TKO against Charlo.

Tszyu says he will have the edge against the 32-year-old American, relying on “passionate” Australian fans to spur him along.

“I think Australia is going to erupt,” he said.

“It’s a special moment in my career, and I know it’s going to be the biggest show yet.”

Originally published as Tim Tszyu set to challenge for world title on Australian soil