The highly anticipated bout between Tim Tszyu and Erickson “Hammer” Lubin for the WBO junior middleweight title has hit an impasse, leading to a cancellation that has left the boxing community buzzing with speculation. Originally poised for a March showdown, the fight’s collapse has each camp pointing fingers, revealing a discrepancy in the narratives surrounding the negotiations. Australian media initially reported that Lubin had stepped away from the talks, a claim that Tszyu’s camp confirmed, marking the American contender as officially out of the running.
However, Lubin’s response to these reports paints a different picture, expressing surprise at the news of his supposed withdrawal and indicating no formal offer had ever been made. The bout, once considered a potential highlight for the debut of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Amazon Prime series, has now left both fighters veering off on separate paths, neither by Lubin’s team’s choice.
Tszyu, who ascended from interim to full WBO titlist, looked to defend his title for the second time this spring. On the other hand, Lubin had revitalized his contention status with a decisive victory over Jesus Ramos, setting the stage for what many hoped would be an electrifying clash against Tszyu. Despite Lubin’s readiness and ranking within the major sanctioning bodies, the lack of formal communication has muddled the waters, leaving fans and the fighters themselves in a state of uncertainty.
Kevin Cunningham, Lubin’s head trainer, voiced frustration over the lack of direct communication, challenging the narrative that had been circulating in the Australian media. As Tszyu eyes a potential blockbuster against undisputed welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford, the boxing world is left to ponder what could have been a captivating match-up against Lubin. Meanwhile, Josh Kelly stands as the number-one ranked WBO junior middleweight contender, potentially next in line for Tszyu if a fight with Crawford does not materialize.
Image Credit: Naomi Fukuda