Promoter Eddie Hearn has opened discussions with Tim Tszyu’s team about staging an Australian superfight with Canelo Alvarez – while also pitching Anthony Joshua for a heavyweight blockbuster at the Gabba.
In what would be one of the biggest fights in Australian boxing history, Hearn and No Limit Boxing have discussed pitting Australia’s new fighting face against global superstar Alvarez, with the bout being labelled by both parties as a “distinct possibility”.
“We’ve had some discussions with Eddie about Canelo facing Tim, yes,” No Limit promoter Matt Rose said.
In an interview with Main Event’s Ben Damon on Thursday (watch above), Hearn confirmed the Tszyu-Alvarez push while also revealing he wants to bring British superstar Joshua Down Under to challenge rising Aussie heavyweight Demsey McKean.
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Australia’s No.1 fighter, Tszyu is currently making preparations for his Las Vegas showdown with undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo on January 29.
McKean, meanwhile, will look to keep his own undefeated streak (21-0, 13KO) alive on an October card in Australia.
And on Sunday, Alvarez will also headline one of the year’s most anticipated fights, a trilogy bout with arch rival Gennady Golovkin.
Asked about the possibility of bringing Canelo to Australia for Tszyu, Rose told Fox Sports Australia: “We’ve had some discussions with Eddie about him facing Tim.
“Right now though, Timmy’s sole focus is winning the undisputed world title. That’s all he is concentrating on.
“But a showdown with Canelo in Australia down the track — which would be a superfight globally — is something we’re obviously keen on.
“And for us it’s great to see that Tim Tszyu, who is already the No.1 star in Australia, is now being recognised as a rising star on the world stage”.
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Speaking with Main Event on Thursday, Hearn suggested both Alvarez and Joshua – who form part of his Matchroom Boxing stable — would happily travel Down Under if their Aussie rivals can keep winning.
Asked about a superfight involving Tszyu and the Mexican legend, he said of Canelo: “He would love to box around the world.
“Tim Tszyu is at 154, and he’s got his hands full with Charlo.
“But in time I’m sure he is going to move to middleweight and maybe even beyond.
“And (to make Australian superfights) you’re going to have to build the prominent names in those divisions to bring the household names, to create a big fight.
“Like you did with Pacquiao-Horn, Kambosos against Haney.
“And now if you’re going to bring an AJ, a Canelo Alvarez, you need to build those fighters in that division.”
While Joshua is currently in negotiations with WBC world champ Tyson Fury, Hearn has also talked of potentially taking the British fighter on a “world tour” – with Brisbane, and McKean, among possible future landing spots.
“Right now Demsey is in the top 15 with two governing bodies,” Hearn said.
“So if he wins on October 15 and then wins against another notable name, why not?
“I’m a massive cricket fan.
“And to do the fight at the Gabba in Brisbane would be special. For Demsey McKeen … if we are really going to take Australian boxing to the level that we’d like to, we really need to bring those huge international names.
“Whether that’s Canelo Alvarez versus Tim Tszyu in time to come? I don’t know.
“But you need to bring those big international names.
“And you’ve seen your government make that investment to bring those big names and big fights. So it’s a distinct possibility.”
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Asked about the idea of an Alvarez-Tszyu showdown, Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech said: “Obviously we will learn a lot more about Tim Tszyu from the Charlo fight, but I think he can beat anybody.
“He definitely has the skills. And his workrate has really impressed me — he makes his opponent throw more punches than just about anyone else. And Canelo is not big on throwing punches. He throws 20 max a round, got tired in his last fight … it would be very interesting.”
Some of Australia’s best young fighters will also appear again tonight on a sold out Brisbane card set to be headlined by a unique Origin Rumble showdown involving Paul Gallen, Justin Hodges and Ben Hannant.
Asked about the Australian fight landscape, Hearn added: “I’m so impressed with Australian boxing because the promoters over there are working so hard and putting great volume on … you’ve got a great future over there. You just have to keep growing it.
“It’s about momentum.
“I’m really hopeful for Australian boxing.”
