Australia’s Tim Tszyu will have his first unified title defence in Las Vegas next March – against either Errol Spence Jnr or Terence Crawford – as part of a bold plan being discussed in conjunction with the 2024 NRL season launch.
Fox Sports Australia can reveal talks are already underway for Tszyu to fight within days of the NRL launching its own season in the US next year with a hyped double header at Allegiant Stadium – aka ‘The Death Star’.
No Limit CEO George Rose not only confirmed the discussions, but said a March headliner would “absolutely” fit into the undefeated Sydneysider’s timeline — especially after the WBO recently ordered a September 30 deadline for the impending title showdown between Tszyu and undisputed champ Jermell Charlo.
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Only days out from facing Mexico’s Carlos Ocampo on the Gold Coast this Sunday, Tszyu has also slammed the ongoing “bulls… and politics” surrounding his proposed Charlo bout.
Apart from accusing the outspoken American of “holding up the division”, the 28-year-old added Charlo would undoubtedly be watching on via Showtime this Sunday.
“And with a beer in one hand and whiskey the other,” Tszyu told Fox Sports Australia with a laugh.
“He’ll watch me fight then straight afterwards, go onto Instagram and start slurring … just typical Charlo.”
While refusing to look past Ocampo – who Tszyu describes as “a warrior” – the Australian fan favourite has welcomed the WBO decision to put a deadline on his Charlo bout.
‘He’s a warrior, he’s not a bullsh***er’ | 00:39
“Because without that, who knows how long he’d be away?” Tszyu shrugged of the American who cancelled their proposed January bout after breaking his hand at Christmas.
“Charlo has obviously made a few bucks in his life.
“And Texas, it’s a cheap place to live.
“So he’s over there buying all these cars and houses, he looks comfortable enough that he doesn’t need to fight.
“So who knows?”
Tszyu added that both Charlo and twin brother Jermall, the undefeated WBC middleweight champ, who himself has been inactive since 2021, were robbing active fighters of title shots.
“They’re holding up divisions,” Tszyu continued. “And that is not fair on anyone.
“Guys are out there staying active, fighting.
“There is just too much bulls… and politics.
“But at least Jermall, I think he’s more genuine.
“A better bloke.
“(Laughs) I think the big brother used to bash the little brother — just like all big brothers do — and the little one has a chip on his shoulder.”
Regardless, the WBO deadline means Tszyu could now conceivably fight Ocampo this Sunday, Charlo in September and then have his first blockbuster defence six months later.
And at the top of those discussions are Spence and Crawford, who throw down for the undisputed welterweight championship in Las Vegas on July 29.
Better, both have also spoken of their desire to move up.
Back in March, Tszyu labelled Spence a “punk” and warned a showdown between the pair would eventually happen after the American bet $10,000 on the Aussie’s rival Tony Harrison.
Yet now Rose has confirmed No Limit are in talks with both the NRL and US boxing promoters about staging a blockbuster fight in March.
“Tim is only focused on Sunday, and what’s in front of him right now,” Rose said.
“But we’re focused on his next six fights, his next three years.
“We’re well and truly looking into the future and a fight in March next year definitely makes sense.
“We love to collaborate with the NRL wherever we can.
“Obviously I come from an NRL background — rugby league is my thing — and this whole idea really does make sense for us.”
Pushed on the timing, Rose continued: “Given how regularly Tim likes to fight, the timeline absolutely works out.
“And that whole idea of collaborating with the NRL makes sense.
“Las Vegas is the home of boxing.
“And Tim Tszyu is the face of Australian boxing.
“So if you’re taking Australian sport to the United States, to Las Vegas, it makes sense to also have Tim fighting as the unified champion.
“Because right now in the US, everyone wants more Tim Tszyu.
“They all love what he’s doing.
“They love the craziness of him taking these big risks by fighting with an undisputed world title opportunity sitting in front of him.
“Same as they love his style of fighting, too.
“They’re continually asking us ‘what is Timmy doing next?’.”
‘Try to get it over and done with early! | 03:31
Right now, of course, the answer is Ocampo.
And then with a win, that hyped unification bout with Charlo.
Asked if he expects the American to be watching his fight Sunday, which will be streamed live into the US via Showtime, Tszyu offered up the beer and whiskey line.
“Because that’s who he is, that’s the reality,” he said.
“He gets on the piss, then gets onto Instagram live and starts yapping.
“You can’t ever understand what he’s saying though.
“He’s just an angry person.
“Apparently there was even a vlog recently where he was going off at some guy on a Gucci service desk.
“It’s just how is.
“He’s a really unhappy person.
“I feel bad for him.
“He needs a kiss from his mum or something.”
Regardless, Tszyu stressed their impending unification bout, should he get past Ocampo this Sunday, would not be personal.
“Or it’s not personal for me,” he stressed.
“I just like to punch on.
“That’s it.
“This is a sport and I could go shake his hand right now.
“I couldn’t care less.
“I don’t hate on anyone, I’m just calling the guy out on his behaviour.
“That’s it.
“What I’m saying about him is just the reality of what’s happening.”
