In a surprising twist in the world of boxing, Tim Tszyu, WBO 154-lb mandatory contender, has called for Jermell Charlo, the reigning undisputed junior middleweight champion, to be stripped of his four titles. This comes in the wake of Charlo's decision to move up a weight class and face the formidable Canelo Alvarez on September 30th. Tszyu, who was initially slated to challenge Charlo for his undisputed championship, deems this sudden departure unfair and disruptive.
In Tszyu’s perspective, Charlo should have relinquished his titles when signing up for the Canelo bout, as a return to the 154-lb division seems unlikely. Charlo, however, seems intent on keeping his titles as insurance in case the Canelo face-off doesn’t favor him. This move, as per Tszyu, could push back his opportunity to contest for the belts until 2024.
Despite the odds, Tszyu is determined to make his mark, potentially even challenging #1 contender Josh Kelly if he gets promoted to the full WBO 154-lb champion. Unfazed by the current turmoil, Tszyu’s focus remains unwavering, his ambition fueled by a desire to fight the biggest names in the sport, including a potential matchup with Errol Spence, rumored to move up soon.
As the September 30th bout draws near, Tszyu has also expressed his belief that Canelo will knock out Charlo due to Charlo's lack of recent activity.
Image Credit: DAZN