American Erickson Lubin has sensationally declared he never withdrew from negotiations with WBO super welterweight champ Tim Tszyu, declaring the allegations as “cap” while also stating: “Don’t start s…, I’ll fight anybody”.
Only hours after reportedly walking away from a Tszyu title showdown, Lubin and his team have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to vigorously deny the claims and suggest they were, in fact, simply waiting for a date to be finalised.
It comes as Team Tszyu have already shifted focus to other big names in and around the 154lb division – with US superstar Terence Crawford and undefeated prospect Vergil Ortiz Jnr among those already linked to the Sydneysider.
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After claiming the WBO crown during an outstanding 2023 year – which included wins over Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza – Tszyu is now gearing up for a Las Vegas title defence in late March.
For months, the clubhouse leader for that showdown has been the No.2 WBO contender Lubin (26-2).
However on Monday, Main Event’s Ben Damon was the first to report the 28-year-old had withdrawn from negotiations, and that Tszyu’s camp were shifting focus to other major names in and around the 154lb division — including Crawford.
Fox Sports Australia also spoke with sources close to negotiations who insisted that, while negotiations had broken down with Lubin – who is promoted by Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) — Tszyu remained confident of defending his title in the world’s fight capital in March.
Yet the American and his team have since taken to social media to declare they never quit discussions with either Team Tszyu or Australian promoters No Limit.
Responding to an Aus Boxing tweet that was sharing the withdrawal news, Lubin started by posting three blue cap emojis and writing: “Wait what? This is news to me. I was waiting on the date”.
The Florida southpaw also responded to a tweet suggesting he was ducking Tszyu, by stating: “Don’t start some s… you know nothing about, that ain’t even how I rock I’ll fight anybody”.
Lubin’s trainer Kevin Cunningham also took to social media, responding to the Aus Boxing tweet with: “How did @EricksonHammerL turn down something that was never formally offered? @ausboxing this is irresponsible reporting and your sources are bad”.
Cunningham also finished his tweet with a blue cap emoji.
Fox Sports Australia has reached out to promoters No Limit for comment.
Intriguingly, the drama comes only days after Crawford’s trainer Bernie Davis declared Tszyu as the “most attractive” option for his fighter next up – insisting the US welterweight king was keen to move up and claim gold in a fourth weight class.
Davis said Tszyu was now the “right one” thanks to his “spectacular” trio of wins in 2023, and suggested the showdown would be a “big fight” in either Australia or the US.
Elsewhere, undefeated US prospect Vergil Ortiz Jnr has also called out Tszyu this month, with his legendary promoter Oscar De La Hoya also willing to make the fight in Australia.
Already, Tszyu has named Crawford on a ‘John Wick’ hitlist that also includes fellow superstars Jermell Charlo, Canelo Alvarez and Errol Spence Jnr.
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Initially, boxing’s pound-for-pound king seemed headed for a rematch with Spence Jnr, however the latter has since required cataract surgery, scuppering those plans.
There have also been calls for welterweight king Crawford to have a unification bout against IBF champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, or even face Charlo.
Yet speaking on MillCity Boxing, Davis revealed it was Tszyu who was the potential new leader for Crawford’s next fight – ahead of even Ennis, Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez and Charlo, whose immediate future is also unknown given he is facing assault charges.
The trainer said his champion, who is keen to face Canelo next, would consider chasing history by moving up again.
“I think Tszyu will be the right one since we can’t get (Errol) Spence,” Davis said.
“We want to move up and make history, have something to get up for.
“And even though ‘Boots’ is an attractive option, I think Tszyu just edges him a little bit.
“I think Tszyu has fought the better competition, I think he’s been looking more spectacular in his fights and he got the country [Australia] behind him.
“Plus, he has something that we want.
“It’s another weight class to jump and it’s another something to aspire to.
“So that’s where I would think we would land.”
Meanwhile, and after spending almost 18 months away from the ring due to various health issues, Ortiz also wants Tszyu after returning to the ring in stunning fashion earlier this month – scoring a first round TKO over Frederick Lawson.
The win was the 20th straight finish for the devastating 25-year-old who De La Hoya dubbed afterwards as “the best fighter on the planet”.
“Bro there’s a lot of fighters that I want to fight and I know people would love people to see this fight so Tim Tszyu, with all respect, I would love to fight you,” Ortiz said after his win.
“I think you’re a hell of a fighter, let’s make it happen.
“It’s all business.
“I want to fight the best.”
De La Hoya agreed, adding: “Tim Tszyu, anybody at 154 … Ortiz will even go to Australia and do it.”
Unsurprisingly, Tszyu was quick to accept the challenge.
After the call out, the Sydneysider responded almost immediately, tweeting on X: “Yo @VergilOrtiz Welcome to the “54 club. I’m always keen for a modern day classic”.