A potential big-money, career-defining fight could be on the cards for Tim Tszyu if the recently elevated WBO junior middleweight champion is able to overcome Brian Mendoza this weekend on the Gold Coast.
Tszyu (23-0, 17KOs) will return to the scene of his June demolition of Carlos Ocampo, where he showcased power, precision and efficiency before flooring the Mexican after just 77 seconds. The dominant performance was expected to finally land Tszyu a highly-anticipated fight against Jermell Charlo for the American’s quartet of belts at 154 pounds.
“He’s the man, I’ll give him that, and I’m just under,” Tszyu said of Charlo after his win over Ocampo. “I’ve got this interim belt, but I’m not satisfied. It’s not just the belts, I want the name Charlo on my wrist.”
Tszyu and Charlo had initially been slated to fight in January, but those plans were scuppered when Charlo suffered a broken left hand during training camp. By mid-year, the WBO had mandated Charlo to fight Tszyu before September 30, but the bout again failed to eventuate with Charlo instead opting to face Canelo Alvarez at supermiddleweight – a fight he would ultimately lose via a lopsided decision.
Tim Tszyu will fight Brian Mendoza on October 15. Brendon Thorne/Getty Images The WBO has since promoted Tszyu from interim champion to regular champion and this weekend he will defend that strap and title for the first time. There already appears to be plenty at stake for the Australian.
“If Tim can get through what will be his toughest test to date this Sunday, then it’s only the biggest and best fights for him after that,” No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose told Fox Sports. “Errol Spence, Terence Crawford, Canelo Alvarez … that’s what is next for Tim Tszyu. There are no bigger fights in boxing than taking down some of the world’s biggest pound-for-pound fighters in consecutive fights.”
