Tim Tszyu made mandatory by WBO, cleared for world title fight

Australian boxing superstar Tim Tszyu is a step closer to being a world champion after an announcement confirmed his date with destiny.

Tim Tszyu will fight for a world boxing title. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Tim Tszyu’s boxing career has been given a huge boost after he was mandated by the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) to fight for the super welterweight title.

The Australian superstar was informed of the announcement via an email from the WBO to his promoters at No Limit on Saturday, confirming his elevation to mandatory status.

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Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings announced the news on Facebook.

“Some great news this morning,” he wrote. “After weeks of hard work back and forth with WBO, we received written confirmation that Tim is now mandated for a world title fight.”

It continues Tszyu’s meteoric rise in the sport and opens the door for his first fight outside Australia or New Zealand.

The WBO super welterweight title is currently held by Argentine Brian Castaño, who fought out a rare draw against Jermell Charlo last month.

It’s unlikely the world title fight would be held before the end of the year, with a potential reunification rematch between Castaño and Charlo to take place first.

Tszyu has been dominant in his fights during past 12 months. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

The WBO has not enforced a timeframe on Tszyu’s shot at a world title, but it seems most likely he will fight the holder of the WBO belt in early 2022.

Tszyu was understandably ecstatic when he heard he had been elevated to mandatory status.

“It’s massive! There’s been a lot of hard work and it comes down to the fact I’ve been so active – fighting consistently against former challengers and champions, and the WBO has recognised that,” he told Fox Sports.

“I’ve been fighting in big fights, here at home in Australia, and the world has been watching. Now we are at a very exciting time.”

Tszyu is unbeaten in 19 professional fights and is ranked as the No. 1 contender by the WBO at super welterweight level.

In the past year, the 26-year-old has defeated former world champion Jeff Horn, Bowyn Morgan, Dennis Hogan and most recently Stevie Spark.

After easily defeating Spark, Tszyu set his sights on taking on an international opponent of a higher calibre.

With his world title fight likely to be held in 2022, Tszyu’s promoters are eager for him to have a hitout before the end of the year, ideally against American former world champion Tony Harrison in November.

Tszyu also had some fighting words for his potential opponent in the world title fight, after Castano trashed the Aussie’s prospects of challenging for the belt.

Tim Tszyu’s world title fight will be held early next year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

“Tim Tszyu is a good fighter, but I need a better fighter,” Castano told ESPN earlier this month.

“I respect his career, but he needs more fights. He needs more experience and to fight other opponents.”

Tszyu hit back, saying: “Castaño obviously doesn’t want the fight – his team has made that pretty clear – but there’s no more running now.

“He seems to think he’s someone he’s not but he is the champion and now I’m the mandatory.

“And Charlo is arrogant. He has had a few things to say about where I fit into the mix. Well, it’s pretty clear where I am at now so he has to get used to that.”