‘I’m fighting Tim next’: Huge Tszyu twist as US superstar says blockbuster is ON
FOX SPORTS Australia · James Cooney · 2026-08-18T22:01:32+00:00 · nguồn gốc
‘I’m fighting Tim next’: Huge Tszyu twist as US superstar says blockbuster is ON
Tim Tszyu could be headed straight from one blockbuster showdown into another.
And this one has been a long time coming.
Tszyu v Mahoney | Wednesday August 26 from 7pm AEST | The only thing standing between Nikita and an IBF world title shot is Ben Mahoney. The stage is set for an All-Australian blockbuster with the winner securing a direct shot at IBF champion, Josh Kelly. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Former undisputed world champion Jermell Charlo has sensationally declared he is next in line for the Aussie superstar, almost four years after the pair were first supposed to throw down.
Fresh from his career-best victory over Errol Spence Jr in Sydney last month, Tszyu has suddenly found himself back on the radar of another of American boxing’s biggest names.
And according to Charlo, the wheels are already in motion.
The former undisputed super-welterweight king says he has personally spoken with powerful boxing adviser Al Haymon about finally facing Tszyu, with discussions now centred around where the potential blockbuster would take place.
“I talked to Al myself and I’m [fighting] Tim next,” Charlo told boxing reporter Lance Pugmire.
“Working on location.”
No fight has officially been announced and Tszyu’s camp is yet to comment on Charlo’s claim.
But there is also another reason to take notice.
More than two months ago, respected boxing insider Mike Coppinger revealed plans were already being discussed for Charlo to face the winner of Tszyu’s July showdown with Spence.
As Fox Sports Australia reported in June, Coppinger claimed Charlo was being lined up for a return against whoever emerged victorious from the Sydney blockbuster.
That man, of course, was Tszyu.
‘The Phoenix’ overpowered Spence via unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111.
Now Charlo’s declaration suggests those plans are very much still alive.
Tszyu had appeared to be on a collision course with WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara after announcing himself as a genuine force at 160 pounds against Spence.
The dangerous Cuban southpaw loomed as the logical next target as Tszyu chases another world title and the chance to become a two-division champion.
Charlo, though, brings something Lara doesn’t. History.
Should the fight eventuate, it would finally settle one of the biggest pieces of unfinished business in Tszyu’s career.
The pair were originally scheduled to throw down for Charlo’s undisputed super-welterweight crown in Las Vegas in January 2023, only for the American to withdraw after suffering a broken hand in training.
Tszyu waited but the fight never came.
The Aussie instead continued his rise through the division and eventually became WBO world champion, while Charlo jumped two divisions to challenge Mexican megastar Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super-middleweight championship.
Almost four years after they were first supposed to share a ring, however, their paths may finally be about to cross again.
And the pair have certainly kept the rivalry bubbling away.
Earlier this year, Charlo tipped Tszyu to defeat his former stablemate Spence – and made no secret of his desire to square off with the Australian afterwards.
“I think Tim Tszyu wins that fight,” Charlo told The Last Stand Podcast.
“Watch the fight when he fought Tony Harrison and destroyed him. Styles make fights. I’m just being realistic.
“I’m not hating on nobody. I don’t care if he’s black, white or Mexican. I’m talking about stylistics…
“All I’m saying is that I see Tim Tszyu winning this fight – plain and simple.”
And once Tszyu had taken care of Spence?
Charlo wanted next.
“I can go and knock him out after I knock out Fundora -- or we can do that fight first,” he said.
“Whoever comes first is who we are going to go with.”
MORE BOXING:
‘Not OK’: Nikita Tszyu’s shock weight reveal may force world title twist amid bizarre ‘erection’ warning
‘He’s the one’: Icons blown away by Aussie KO king as hype goes global
Tszyu would hardly need convincing.
The Aussie pay-per-view king has previously told Fox Sports Australia the pair have “unfinished business” – while also taking a swipe at Charlo’s performance in his one-sided defeat to Alvarez.
“I don’t really see that savage,” Tszyu said.
“I’ve never really seen him as a savage.
“I’ve seen some world champions who are savage, you know? Beast mode.
“But I’ve never seen that in Charlo.”
No Limit boss George Rose would undoubtedly welcome the showdown, too, having twice worked to bring the fight together in the past.
“That’s a fight which is long overdue for Tim,” Rose said last year.