Tim Tszyu Believes Jermell Charlo Needs More Time To Prepare For Him
Current WBO Interim junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu (22-0, 16 KOs) is a frustrated fighter. According to the 28-year-old, his mandated fight with reigning junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) is being pushed back for a second time because Charlo needs additional time to heal from a broken left hand. During an interview with Fox Sports Australia, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu voiced his displeasure.
“The bloke hasn’t fought for 12 months. How long can you keep postponing a fight?”
TRYING TO STAY PATIENT
Tszyu is coming off a ninth-round stoppage over ex-WBC 154-pound champion Tony Harrison in March 2023 in Sydney, Australia. That fight was broadcasted live on SHOWTIME for the United States viewing audience. Charlo was a part of the SHOWTIME in-studio team providing analysis. At that time, the unified champion said that his hand is healing on schedule.
Word on the street that the match between Charlo and Tszyu was being targeted for July. However, the Interim champion revealed that a fight with Charlo will occur in August or September. Tszyu believes that after watching his performance against Harrison, the undisputed champion is doing all he can to bide his time.
“I think he understands this isn’t an easy fight for him, and so he wants to be 120 percent ready. I think before, he was taking me lightly . . . So, he’s taking his time. He will try and postpone it for as long as he can.”
Charlo has been out of action since a tenth-round stoppage over Brian Castano in May 2022 to become undisputed at 154. A Charlo – Tszyu fight was to occur in January 2023. However, Charlo broke his left hand while training for that matchup. It appears the undisputed champion has suffered a setback to his initial injury.
As a result, Tszyu said he’s been in contact with his team and wants to return to the ring in June in his home country of Australia. The goal is to stay active and sharp before his eventual fight against Charlo.
