The mandatory undisputed collision between super-welterweight king Jermell Charlo and top contender Tim Tszyu saw confusion reign.
No Limit Boxing, in association with Premier Boxing Champions, made the official announcement for the fight via social media.
Undisputed
The fight is all good, and everybody is looking forward to it. However, the timing bemused the fans and the media.
Charlo vs Tszyu will happen on January 29, possibly in Australia, a full six months and change away. There was no reason given as to why the fight was so delayed.
“Tim Tszyu will face undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo on January 28 for all the belts,” said No Limit.
.@Tim_Tszyu will face undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo on January 28 (January 29 in 🇦🇺) for all the belts. #CharloTszyu #Boxing #Boxeo pic.twitter.com/mWWJ4r35YS
— No Limit Boxing (@NoLimit_Boxing) July 13, 2022
Charlo vs Tszyu
Tszyu told Fox Sports: “I feel like I’m ready for it. It’s quite simple. You know, when people doubt you, you just want to prove them wrong.
“He [Charlo] doesn’t know what’s coming. He really doesn’t.”
The 27-year-old added: “I’ve sort of accepted this guy’s just an angry man. He’s like an old man who is just grumpy and angry all the time.”
“That’s his personality. He’s going off at ESPN for not putting him in the pound-for-pound rankings. But he’s going off at reporters. He’s just an angry man.
“Being emotional like that, it’s not good to have in boxing. So if you can get under his skin, he’s going to be rattled.”
Bemused
Comments came thick and fast on the timing.
“Glad it’s such a short wait,” read one sarcastic effort. Another said: “Why six months odd to wait?
“Couldn’t they make it the end of October or the beginning of November?”
A third said: “Great, it’s done, but six months away! What happened to the fighters that fought at least three times a year?
“You couldn’t stop the fighters from wanting to fight more often.”
Delay theory
One theory is that Charlo has to make another mandatory defense of his title before Tszyu. Bakhram Murtazaliev has been waiting a long time for his opportunity.
Charlo could be going down that road in October before facing Tszyu in the New Year. Al Haymon will reveal more about the situation for Charlo’s future.
It wasn’t supposed to transpire that Charlo would defend the titles against any stipulation. The fighter himself wanted to face Terence Crawford.
However, if he did, the most likely scenario is that he would lose at least one of his belts. Crawford may lose interest in the clash if that happens.
For now, Tszyu will have to wait to get his hands on the title, with Charlo potentially vacating to give the Aussie son of a legend the chance to headline at home against the next contender in line.
WBN Editor Phil has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
