Tim Tszyu To Risk Title Shot Against Top Contender Tony Harrison
WBO junior middleweight mandatory challenger Tim Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs) is taking a detour from the undisputed trail to take on former WBC champion Tony “Super Bad” Harrison (29-3-1 21 KOs).
According to Fox Sports Australia, the WBO has approved a fight between the two top contenders for the WBO Junior middleweight interim title on March 12 in Australia. Tszyu was supposed to fight for the undisputed status against Jermell Charlo on January 28.
HOW DID WE GET HERE
On December 2022, Charlo’s hand was broken in two places while sparring, resulting in the fight getting postponed. The Texan has been out of the ring since capturing the undisputed status by defeating then-WBO champion Brian Castano in a rematch in May 2022.
After learning about the injury, a disappointed Tszyu released a statement showing a willingness to fight someone else by asking for the next mandatory challenger. This opened the door for Harrison, who jumped in voluntarily to take the place of the undisputed champion. Super Bad holds the WBO’s number-four slot, making the fight for the interim title a logical move by the organization.
RELATED: Harrison: “I’ll Fill In For Charlo So Tim Ain’t Gotta Take A Layoff”
Tszyu claimed the mandatory spot after defeating Terrell Gausha in a title eliminator in February 2022. Unwilling to wait for the rematch between Charlo and Castano, his camp petitioned the WBO to fight Castano. However, the sanctioning body ruled that the rematch will proceed with the winner facing the Aussie next.
Make no mistake, this is a very dangerous match-up for Tszyu. Harrison is capable of pulling off the upset and ending all hope of fighting for undisputed.
By: Bo Bland
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