Tim Tszyu wants Jermell Charlo, then winner of Spence-Crawford to become greatest Aussie boxer

Plans are in motion to have Tim Tszyu fight the winner of Errol Spence Jr versus Terence Crawford early next year. Vote on where a win would rank Tszyu in history of Aussie boxing.

Where does Tim Tszyu rank among Aussie boxing greats?

Within eight months, Tim Tszyu could become the greatest boxer in Australian history with his team eyeing back-to-back undisputed title fights against the best in the sport.

It can be revealed that Tszyu’s camp is already in discussions to fight the winner of this year’s biggest fight, Errol Spence Jr versus Terence Crawford, after his undisputed title challenge against Jermell Charlo.

Tszyu, who defends his interim WBO super-welterweight title against Mexico’s Carlos Ocampo on the Gold Coast next Sunday, must win that fight and defeat Charlo to set up a showdown against Spence or Crawford.

Tim Tszyu plans to fight Carlos Ocampo, Jermell Charlo, and the winner of Errol Spence Jr versus Terence Crawford within eight months. Photo by No Limit Boxing.

The Tszyu-Charlo fight has been ordered to take place by September 30, and his promoters No Limit Boxing are already eyeing a January-February super-fight against Spence or Crawford in anticipation of victory.

“Tim’s full focus is on Ocampo, nothing happens if he doesn’t win that, but I expect him to take care of business as usual and then it’s on to Charlo,” No Limit chief executive George Rose said.

“When Tim beats Charlo for all four belts, and the way he beats Charlo, I believe will make him one of the most chased-after fighters in the world, and he will command that fight against the winner of Spence-Crawford.

Errol Spence Jr. after a unanimous decision against Danny Garcia during their WBC & IBF World Welterweight Championship fight in 2020. Picture: AFP

Terence Crawford walks in the ring after defeating Shawn Porter in 2021. Picture: Getty Images

“That would be a great way to kick off 2024.

“There have only been nine undisputed boxing champions in the four-belt era. Tim has the opportunity to become undisputed against Charlo, and then fight another undisputed champion in either Spence or Crawford, who are both in the pound-for-pound best rankings. To have that on your resume, that does the job, that makes you the greatest ever Australian boxer.”

Spence and Crawford meet for the undisputed welterweight championship on July 29 in Las Vegas.

Both have spoken of a desire to move up to super-welterweight, and there is simmering bad blood between Crawford and Charlo.

But the undefeated Tszyu can usurp that, particularly with No Limit now working closely with the promoters of Charlo and Spence, Premier Boxing Champions.

“We have a very good working relationship with PBC and [boss] Al Haymon, they’ve only been professional and gentlemen in their dealings with us,” Rose said.

“One thing we’ve always had is our integrity and honesty, and we’ve backed up what we say we’re going to do.

“Even though we are saying we will beat Charlo and take all his belts, and we want to fight the winner of Spence and Crawford, we’re doing it with the utmost respect and PBC understands that because they’re the best in the game.”

The revelation of the back-to-back undisputed fight plan also highlights, however, just how big a risk Tszyu is taking by fighting Ocampo, and only three weeks after a dog attack left him requiring 26 stitches on his arm.

This is a fight he didn’t need to take, as he is already mandatory for Charlo and could have waited for him to heal from a hand injury that delayed their planned bout in January.

Tszyu prefers to remain busy in the ring, and risked his chance at Charlo by fighting American Tony Harrison, who he knocked out in round nine of their March bout in Sydney.

But 27-year-old Ocampo (35-2, 23KO), whose only two defeats have been in world title fights against Spence and Sebastian Fundora, is coming to ruin all of Tszyu’s dreams.

“I took the fight against Tim Tszyu because he represents an important challenge in my career,” Ocampo said.

“He is the one who holds the title today, and on June 18 he will understand what it is to meet a Mexican. I will beat Tim Tszyu, make no mistake.

“I wish him a speedy recovery because I hope it’s not an excuse on Sunday June 18. I won't aim for your arm because I’m a gentleman. But remember, protect yourself at all times.

Risking it all and winning.@Tim_Tszyu's recaps the biggest moment of his career to date.#ozboxing#boxingpic.twitter.com/5cI1yKhXyb

— Aus-Boxing.com (@ausboxing) June 7, 2023

“This has been the best preparation of my career, the sparring was better than that of many world champions and my work won’t be in vain even though I have to go to the other side of the world.

“I truly believe I will beat Tim in the most unexpected way. Us Mexicans are different. We are distinguished fighters, we are real, we come to fight.

“In Mexico, sparring is with 12 ounces, not like in the rest of the world, which is with 16. Here (in Mexico) boxers fight to win breakfast tomorrow and the rest of the world doesn’t understand that.

“I’m going to fight to bring the title home.”

But if Tszyu, 28, can prevail, he will face an angry Charlo.

The American slammed Tszyu on an Instagram live post this week, saying: “When they release me, I’m knocking that b---h out from Australia, and I ain’t going to say nothing else.

“Yeah, this motherf---er running his mouth and talk. You got to get confirmation from all the mother f---ers that you fought some because I've done my due diligence in the world of boxing.

“At 154 (pounds), I'm the king. I’ve been a king; I’m the king. You know what Tony Harrison told you. You got this staircase over here.

“Keep building yourself. When I do fight you, b---h, it's over. I don’t play that s---. Big things in the way.”

Emergency surgery and stitches. None of it matters. @Tim_Tszyu and explains why postponing was never an option for his interim world title defence.#ozboxing#boxingpic.twitter.com/Gu8UApzBrR

— Aus-Boxing.com (@ausboxing) June 2, 2023

Tszyu recently said Charlo “loves a holiday”, taking aim at the fact he hasn’t fought since May 2022.

Tszyu told Code Sport last year of his desire to land the major double bouts.

“The ideal scenario is Charlo, and then Erroll Spence back-to-back,” Tszyu said.

“I think Crawford should stay in his division, he’s done nothing at 154 pounds, I’ve fought how many fights now at 154 so I should be the next one in line.

“And once I get the belts, then maybe we should start talking about me and Crawford if he’s going to beat Spence.

“These boys are small.”

While Tszyu lived in the shadow of his legendary father, former unified lightweight champion Kostya Tszyu, his recent performances and willingness to fight all comers has seen him break out as a champion in his own right.

Should he be able to defeat Ocampo, Charlo, and the winner of Spence-Crawford, he would not only surpass Kostya’s legacy, but elevate himself as Australia’s greatest boxer.

No fighter has beaten two undisputed champions in the four-belt era.

Right now, there are only three undisputed champions; Charlo, Canelo Alvarez and Devin Haney.

The winner of Spence and Crawford will join them.

Tszyu (22-0, 16KO) is in touching distance of history.

Originally published as Tim Tszyu wants Jermell Charlo, then winner of Spence-Crawford to become greatest Aussie boxer