Tim Tszyu’s first fight in the US has been thrown into chaos, but there could be a silver lining for the Australia star.
Tszyu was meant to fight Terrell Gausha as the co-main on March 19 in Los Angeles.
But that is now in major doubt because the unification fight between Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano is off, according to the President of the World Boxing Organisation, Paco Valcarcel.
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Castano reportedly suffered a bicep injury in sparring.
Valcarcel added: “Who can you blame? Probably Castano.” The title fight will now reportedly have to be be delayed until May or June.
Tszyu’s fight — which was to determine who faces the winner of Castano-Charlo — was expected to be confirmed on Thursday before the recent developments.
It is unclear what this means for Tszyu’s next fight but it could ultimately mean his bid for a world title shot gets fast-tracked.
Respected boxing journalist Dan Rafael reported Tszyu’s promoters No Limit had raised objections in writing to the WBO — whose belt Castano has — about Tszyu having to wait yet again for his title shot. The Charlo-Castano rematch was sanctioned despite Tszyu becoming the mandatory challenger to the WBO belt held by Castano after the Australian defeated Takeshi Inoue by unanimous decision last November.
According to the report the WBO has now issued a “show cause” letter sent to the Charlo and Castano camps, asking why the body should not enforce Castano’s mandatory defence against Tszyu next. There could also be implications for Charlo’s next fight given he holds the WBC, IBF and WBA titles.
Tsyzu (20-0) has been eyeing off a shot at the big guns of his division for some time and it’s now conceivable his first fight abroad could be for a world title.
Speaking after his dominant victory in Sydney last year, Tszyu issued the boxing world a message.
“Finish your honeymoons, get in the gym, start training, because I’m coming for all of you, every single one of you,” he said in front of more than 10,000 people at Qudos Bank Arena.
“I would like to take [his title] in the US and then bring it back to Australia, do it the right way,” Tszyu added.
“It has always been a dream of mine, since I was a young kid, to fight over there.”
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