Huge boost for Tim Tszyu as Jermell Charlo is ordered to fight for the WBO world title by September – but Aussie’s promoter warns Sydneysider’s career could be ‘over’ if he loses his next fight
- Tszyu-Charlo fight must happen by September 30
- Tszyu’s promoter has dire warning for him
- Aussie has to get past Carlos Ocampo first
Undisputed welterweight king Jermell Charlo has been ordered to face Tim Tszyu by September 30, as long as the Aussie wins his bout against Carlos Ocampo next month.
Tszyu, 28, was supposed to fight the superstar in January for the American’s IBF, WBC, WBA and WBO super-welterweight belts, but the champ broke his hand.
The son of boxing hall-of-famer Kostya Tszyu was then matched up with former champion Tony Harrison, whom he obliterated in nine rounds, earning himself the interim WBO super-welterweight belt and another shot at Charlo.
However, Charlo has said his hand is taking longer than expected to recover and has continued to delay the bout.
On Tuesday, the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) sent a letter to Tszyu’s promoter ordering the winner of Tszyu and Ocampo to fight Charlo before September 30.
Jermell Charlo has been ordered to face Tim Tszyu (pictured) by September 30, as long as the Aussie wins his bout against Carlos Ocampo next month
Tszyu was supposed to fight the superstar in January for the American’s IBF, WBC, WBA and WBO super-welterweight belts, but the champ broke his hand
‘Sanction approval is granted subject to the following provisions, most notably (i) the winner must face in his next bout the WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion no later than September 30, 2023; (ii) the winner must be available, ready, willing, and able to face in his next bout the WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion within the above referenced period,’ the statement read.
Tszyu’s promoter George Rose is ecstatic about the news.
‘It’s massive. It’s the news we’ve been waiting on but again highlights just how big a risk Tim’s fight next month on the Gold Coast is,’ Rose said.
‘If Tim’s loses, it’s over. No Charlo, no undisputed, no nothing.
‘After all the waiting and uncertainty, it’s crazy to think it’s Jermell Charlo who has the advantage…He’s prepping now and doesn’t have a world-class, tough Mexican in Carlos Ocampo trying to take everything away from him.
‘Sunday June 18 has just become a whole lot bigger. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
‘His shot at undisputed depends on it.’
Charlo hasn’t made a public statement about the decision from the WBO – and hasn’t fought in 12 months.
Tszyu’s promoter George Rose (pictured left) is very happy with the move from the WBO
Charlo says he wasn’t overly impressed with Tszyu performance against Tony Harrison, insisting the Aussie ‘doesn’t show a lot of athleticism’
The American was only mildly impressed with Tszyu’s performance against Harrison and has pledged to ‘shut him up’ when the two finally meet.
‘He doesn’t really show a lot of athleticism to me,’ Charlo said after commentating on the Harrison-Tszyu fight in the US for Showtime.
‘When you have skills and you have style and you have power, that’s when you get four belts.
‘You see what I’m saying?’
Tszyu, who has decided to stay busy while waiting for Charlo, will return to Queensland for the first time since beating Jeff Horn three years ago to take on Mexico’s No.1-ranked super welterweight Ocampo on June 18.
Ocampo is a dangerous opponent, with a record of 34 wins and only two losses to world-class fighters – including undisputed American star Errol Spence jnr.
As long as Tszyu beats Ocampo – and isn’t injured in the process – he is set to face Charlo in September.
