Australia’s Tim Tszyu is set to take the biggest risk of his outstanding young career. He bets superstar Jermell Charlo against the now-unified Super He-Welterweight Champion, the only man ever to beat him.<\/p>\n
As first predicted by Fox Sports Australia in December, Tszyu will challenge for the interim WBO world title in Australia on Sunday, March 12.<\/p>\n
Just weeks after Charlo’s postponed unification championship showdown \u2014 thanks to Champ breaking his hand \u2014 Tsuju won his first blockbuster title against US star Tony Harrison.<\/p>\n
Australia’s Liam Wilson will battle Emmanuel Navarrete for the WBO Super Featherweight Title live on Kayo Sports on February 4th. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now ><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Tszyu’s younger brother Nikita will also be competing on the card at a yet-to-be-announced venue, while Hall of Famer father Kostya will be at ringside as a spectator. <\/p>\n
In 2018, Harrison defeated Charlo to win the WBC super welterweight title.<\/p>\n
The Detroit native, who won by unanimous decision, lost the belt in his next bout, but Charlo won the rematch by 11th-round TKO.<\/p>\n The American has since drawn with Bryant Perera, beat Sergio Garcia to return to a world title showdown, and beat fellow contender and undefeated Russian Bakram Murtazariev to earn a chance to face Tsuju. .<\/p>\n The Australian title fight winner will face Charlo for all four straps later this year.<\/p>\n But is Tszyu taking a big risk against Harrison, who is ranked No. 2 in the WBC and No. 3 in the WBO?<\/p>\n “Every battle you take is in danger,” said Tszyu.<\/p>\n “I’m close to rock bottom. It’s all a line and a gamble, but this is what I do.”<\/p>\n “This is boxing, it’s part of my career and I’m a fighter first.<\/p>\n “He[Harrison]was the next best option. I’m at a stage in my career and I don’t care who’s in front of me. I’m ready to take it all away.”<\/p>\n Harrison’s record is 29-3-1.<\/p>\n Of his wins, 21 were knockouts.<\/p>\n Despite this, Tszyu claims to have the edge in various areas against the Americans, including a fierce home crowd advantage. <\/p>\n “I think Australia will erupt,” he said.<\/p>\n “I haven’t played in nearly a year and a half since I got home, but I know it’s going to be the biggest show I’ve ever played.<\/p>\n “This is a big fight for Australia and a special moment in my career.<\/p>\n “I have a lot of die-hard fans who support and follow me, so he’ll find the Australian atmosphere kind of insane.<\/p>\n “But the biggest problem he faces is not the fans, it’s me.”<\/p>\n Harrison has always had the idea of \u200b\u200bplaying Tsuju in Australia, telling reporters last year:<\/p>\n “Take me on vacation. Travel the world and fight whoever you want me to fight.”<\/p>\n “Let me see a kangaroo, a rattlesnake, etc… like that, I want it. I want to fight him, but I want to fight him there.”<\/p>\n No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose added:<\/p>\n “But they don’t have to wait any longer.<\/p>\n “I visited Tim in the United States for his training camp, so please believe me when I tell you that he is ready to accept.<\/p>\n Worldwide by any means necessary.<\/p>\n “He’s in the best shape of his life, coming home for the first time since 2021 and fighting more hungry than ever.<\/p>\n “[But]Tim also knows that this is not a walk in the park.<\/p>\n “There’s a very dangerous man ahead of him. Tony Harrison is the only man in the world to beat the undisputed champion Jermell Charlo, so that’s a big risk.”<\/p>\n The pressure on Tszyu to fight for the interim title at home started on Christmas Day when Charlo first announced his break on social media.<\/p>\n Within 48 hours, WBO officials sent a letter to the champion warning him that he would need to prove further evidence of his injury.<\/p>\n Upon refusing to do so, the Directive continued and could see Charlo stripped of his title.<\/p>\n Almost immediately, Harrison and Murtazaliev emerged as contenders should Charlo be stripped or an interim title fight announced.<\/p>\n In the end it was the Americans who won.<\/p>\n Tsuju, who has been training in the U.S. since November, will soon return to Japan and finish training in Sydney.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/amp-img>