Tim Tszyu Feels Jermell Charlo Expects To Lose at 168
When unexpectedly given the chance to move up in weight to fight boxing cash cow Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KO’s) jumped at the opportunity. Like himself, Canelo is the undisputed king at super middleweight and clearly this was a boat that Charlo did not want to miss. Yet, Iron Man’s mandatory challenger and Interim WBO 154-pound champion Tim “The Soul Taker” Tszyu (23-0, 17 KO’s) believes that it’s actually fear and a lack of confidence motivating this move. In a recent Q&A with Fight Hub TV, the Australian fighter aired out his thoughts on the matter.
“That just shows how he is not confident in beating Canelo. If you’re a 168 undisputed champion, you’re not going to go back down to 154, that’s facts! So the fact that he saying, ‘I’m not done with 154,’ he knows he is going to get his ass whooped! So he is going to come back down, simple. I don’t have that mentality, I don’t think about losing, ever.”
FEAR OR FUEL?
It seems a bit odd that Tszyu assumes fear is the true motivating factor in this scenario, largely because this was not a fight that Charlo was chasing. All signs seemed to indicate that he was committed to his obligation of dueling The Soul Taker. Yet, when the chance to make history by being simultaneously the undisputed champion in two divisions arose, he took it.
There was also a pride factor, considering his brother, WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo was offered the fight and passed. So, to some degree, Charlo calls himself protecting the family name. Also, because he was not looking to rumble with Canelo, there is little reason to believe that Jermell Charlo would not return to 154. Going to 168 is a big ask in and of itself. Then, while he has been extremely inactive, his brother resides at 160 and obviously they don’t want to fight one another. When taking this all into account, dropping back down to 154 is not out of the question.
WHO’S NEXT?!
In the meantime, while Charlo makes his expedition into 168-pound territory, Tszyu will be elevated to the full WBO champion. When he becomes champion, it will be interesting to see who The Soul Taker goes head to head with. Within the WBO’s top five, the biggest names, to American audiences at least, would be Charles Conwell (#3) and Xander Zayas (#4). Of these two, Conwell is the more finished product, whereas Zayas, while talented, is still being developed.
Josh Kelly is the #1 WBO super welterweight, but he has only fought once in the states, against Ray Robinsons, and that ended in a draw. In the end, only time will tell what’s next for Tszyu, but it appears a promotion is soon to come! Stay tuned to 3Kings Boxing for all the latest twists and turns in this on-going saga!
