Australia’s Tim Tszyu is firming to fight for some form of the WBO super welterweight title in early 2023 – with injured rival Jermell Charlo warned, at worst, he could even be stripped of the belt on New Year’s Day.
Only 48 hours after Charlo revealed he had broken his hand in sparring – and would not be able to defend against Tszyu in Las Vegas on January 29 – the WBO has demanded further proof of the American superstar’s injury.
In a letter addressed directly to the unified champ, WBO Championship Committee chairman Luis Batista Salas has ordered “a detailed medical explanation” of not only Charlo’s injury but also his recovery prognosis.
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The letter also states the Texan must present an orthopaedic specialist’s opinion regarding “when he will be physically and medically cleared to return to active competition”.
Failure to comply with this order, it continues, will result in the champ “waiving all rights hereunder and with the Committee proceeding per WBO regulations of world championship contests.
Charlo has been given five days to respond to the letter, which could have big ramifications for Tszyu – who remains mandatory challenger for the WBO strap.
While Charlo, who holds all four belts, is unlikely to be stripped of WBO gold, that scenario would leave Tszyu to face a new challenger for the vacated title – with No.3 ranked Tony Harrison the most likely contender.
Even if Charlo satisfies all WBO demands however, Fox Sports Australia understands a strong push is growing for Tszyu to fight for an interim title instead – with Harrison and undefeated Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev the most likely contenders.
While Tszyu has been based in Los Angeles since November, an interim title fight with Harrison could take place either in the US or Australia.
The same is the case with Murtazaliev – who is ranked at No.4 with the WBO and also No.1 with the IBF.
Tszyu has already told his team he is happy to keep training Stateside and then return Down Under close to the bout if either scenario plays out.
The other obvious option, No.2 ranked Englishman Liam Smith, already has a big fight booked against Chris Eubank Jnr, slated for Manchester Arena on January 21.
Ironically, the WBO’s Medical Certificate Letter to Charlo was sent only a day after the Texas superstar used social media to provide what he considered strong proof of his injury.
Apart from posting a picture of himself sporting a cast around his left hand, wrist and forearm, the super welterweight king also provided a medical report from Houston Methodist orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.
That letter, dated December 23, said the champ had “sustained a left scaphoid fracture and 5th metacarpal base fracture … (and) should refrain from upper extremity training that involves impact for two months.”
Given the time it would then take Charlo to get back to full fitness for a Tszyu showdown, that prognosis means the champ could potentially be sidelined for the first half of the year, making the idea of an interim title appealing.
On Christmas Day, and only hours after Charlo revealed his showdown with Tszyu would have to be postponed, Harrison tweeted: “Somebody at Tim I’ll fill in for Charlo so he ain’t gotta go on another 6 month layoff”.
Murtazaliev also took shots at both Tszyu and Charlo recently, telling BoxingScene that he expected the winner of their title showdown to vacate the IBF strap rather than fight him for it.
“Both of them are scared to fight with me,” said the Russian who has won all 21 of his professional fights, 15 via KO. “The winner is going to vacate the title.”
Asked for a prediction, he added the championship showdown would go no more than eight rounds and “Charlo will knock Tszyu out with a straight right”.
