Boxing world erupts over Tim Tszyu and Jermell Charlo announcement

Aussie boxing star Tim Tszyu has been granted a boost in his world title bid after world boxing's governing body made it mandatory for super-welterweight champion Jermell Charlo to fight him.

Tszyu recently defeated Terrell Gausha in his US debut and has since been vocal about calling out Charlo.

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And more recently, the undefeated Australian watched on as Charlo avenged his 2021 draw against Brian Castano with a vicious knockout this month.

Charlo became the holder of the WBC, IBF and WBA belts, meaning the 32-year-old entered boxing immortality as only the seventh man in history to claim four major straps in one division.

Tszyu has been WBO's No.1 mandatory challenger at super-welterweight for more than a year and has called for the sanctioning body to intervene and order the fight.

And the WBO has finally ordered Charlo to face Tsyzu.

The Tszyu and Charlo camps have a deadline of June 20 to make the fight, proposed for August 28, or a purse bid will be held.

WBO order Tim Tszyu and Jermell Charlo

Now, Tszyu has the chance to emulate his legendary father Kostya, who unified the light-welterweight division in 2001 with a second-round knockout of American Zab Judah in Las Vegas.

"The WBO World Championship Committee hereby orders the parties herein the commencement of negotiations for the above-mentioned WBO Jr. Middleweight Mandatory Championship Contest," the WBO statement said.

"Please be advised that the parties have twenty (20) days upon receipt of this letter to reach an agreement.

"If an accord is not reached within the time frame set forth herein, a Purse Bid will be ordered pursuant to the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.

"The minimum acceptable bid for the WBO Jr. Middleweight Division is $200,000 ($A278,552).

"Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process.

"Please do not hesitate to contact the WBO if you have any questions or concerns."

Charlo 35-1-1- (19KO) is ranked among the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

As well as his No.2 WBO ranking, Tszyu (21-0, 15KO) is also rated No.2 in the WBC and No.3 in the IBF.

While his promoters from No Limit Boxing are promising to "do everything" to bring the fight to Australia, the blockbuster is almost certain to take place in the US - and possibly even at the MGM Grand where Kostya Tszyu KO'd the previously unbeaten Judah 21 years ago.

"Actually I wouldn't mind America. Anywhere. Four belts on the line, I couldn't care less where I'm fighting," said Tszyu, noting the similarities between the trash-talking Judah and Charlo, who has been sledging the Australian for months.

"This is the Zab Judah moment for me. This is the destiny and everything I've ever worked for. Twenty seven years old and for it to happen this early in my career, it's great.

"Top of the mountain. Straight to the top of the mountain. It's crazy and I'm actually speechless."

with AAP

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