10 directions Tim Tszyu could take as Jermell Charlo moves onto Canelo Alvarez
Tim Tszyu’s plans to dominate boxing are in disarray after missing out on a fight with Jermell Charlo. So how can the Aussie regain his steam? Here are 10 possible scenarios.
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Tim Tszyu, No Limit and everyone else outside the immediate negotiations were completely blindsided by news of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s blockbuster showdown with Jermell Charlo, which broke this weekend.
It’s a classic case of boxing politics and money winning out.
Canelo recently signed a three-fight (US) $100 million deal with promotional company Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) and had been tipped to fight Charlo’s twin, Jermall in September.
Jermall holds the WBC middleweight title, but hasn’t fought in two years and was reportedly having reservations about signing the contract to take on the Mexican megastar.
Needing a fight, Canelo’s representatives kept it within the family, tapping Jermell on the shoulder, with the American set to move up two weight classes for the fight, which will likely take place at super-middleweight.
The developments have left the super-welterweight division in limbo.
Jermell Charlo is the unified super-welterweight champion, while WBO interim champion Tszyu was his mandatory. A fight between them was slated for October this year before this weekend’s manoeuvring.
The WBO could elevate Tszyu from interim champion to full champion, which could happen as soon as this weekend. The sanctioning body could also decide to keep Charlo as champion, and attempt to make a tidy sum of money in the Canelo-Charlo bout.
The other sanctioning bodies will wait for the WBO’s decision before making any moves.
If the WBO strips Charlo it will kick-off a feeding frenzy at 154-pounds with all four belts suddenly up for grabs.
It’s early days, and nobody can make any moves until the WBO announces its decision, but here’s a few possible outcomes for Tszyu.
TSZYU COULD BE ELEVATED TO WORLD CHAMPION
The best case scenario is that the WBO strips Charlo immediately and installs Tszyu as champion.
If this happens, Tszyu could defend the belt later this year, possibly in Australia.
TSZYU REMAINS INTERIM CHAMPION
The WBO could keep Charlo as champion, meaning Tszyu would remain interim champ.
The sanctioning body could also strip Charlo, but keep Tszyu as interim champion.
THE WINNER OF ERROL SPENCE VS TERENCE CRAWFORD
Errol Spence and Terence Crawford are meeting in a blockbuster welterweight fight for all the belts later this month.
If it’s a close fight, they will likely have a rematch.
But, under the WBO’s rules, the winner of this fight can move up a weight class and automatically become WBO mandatory at super-welterweight.
That’s the dream scenario if the WBO elevates Tszyu to full world champion status.
FIGHT ON A PBC CARD THIS YEAR
Premier Boxing Champions hold all the cards, and have plenty of super-welterweights Tszyu could fight.
It’s unlikely the Australian will fight on the Canelo-Charlo undercard, but he could make an appearance on another PBC show – possibly headlined by Gervonta Davis – later in the year.
BRIAN CASTANO
Castano is the former WBO super-welterweight world champion and has had a pair of entertaining fights with Charlo.
The first was a controversial split draw, which most viewers felt Castano won. He was knocked out in the 10th round of the rematch and hasn’t fought since.
A rough and rugged slugger, Castano would be an interesting match-up for Tszyu.
MICHAEL ZERAFA
Tszyu and Zerafa were supposed to fight in 2021 before the bout fell over on late notice.
Zerafa is eyeing up a middleweight title fight, and recently took step aside money so Erislandy Lara could face Danny Garcia for the WBA belt.
While Tszyu-Zerafa lacks the international appeal, there’s still bad blood between the pair and it would be a domestic blockbuster.
BRIAN MENDOZA OR SEBASTIAN FUNDORA
Brian Mendoza is the interim WBC super-welterweight champion, winning the belt with an upset knockout of the ‘Towering Inferno’ Sebastian Fundora in April.
A rematch between the pair is now in the works.
If the sanctioning bodies strip Charlo of the super-welterweight belts, the Mendoza-Fundora rematch will likely be for the full WBC super-welterweight world title.
BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV OR JACK CULCAY
If Charlo is stripped, the IBF will order its number one and two ranked fighters, Bakhram Murtazaliev and Jack Culcay, to fight for the world title.
The winner could face Tszyu at a later date.
LIAM SMITH, ERICKSON LUBIN, CHARLES CONWELL
All three of these fighters are ranked with at least one sanctioning body and they all have name recognition.
Tszyu was linked to a fight with Smith in the past, while Lubin’s name has also been mentioned.
GENNADY GOLOVKIN
Middleweight great Gennady Golovkin hasn’t fought since his move up to super-middleweight for a trilogy bout with Canelo last September.
Tszyu could potentially move up to 160-pounds to fight GGG.
Tszyu has said for years that Golovkin is the one fighter he’d love to face before he retires.
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