Australia’s Tim Tszyu says Jermell Charlo has made a massive mistake by delaying their unification blockbuster, saying the undisputed champ will face “another person” compared to January and is likely being told by mates to leave the division.
Initially slated to fight five months ago, Tszyu and Charlo are now set to throw down for all four super welterweight belts by September after the Sydneysider scored a brutal highlight reel win over Mexico’s Carlos Ocampo.
Speaking after the win, Tszyu said he felt his rival’s “legs buckle” early, which is when he went chasing a “highlight reel” finish.
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He added the finish left him feeling like he could have fought, and beat, another three men – immediately.
Elsewhere, Tszyu joked Charlo’s mates would likely now be telling him to now leave the division, so comprehensive was his win over the tough Mexican.
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The response came after Tszyu was initially asked in the press conference what Errol Spence Jnr would have made of the finish, given it was quicker than the American’s own KO of Ocampo in 2018 – which was the only other time he had been stopped.
While Spence took three minutes to beat Ocampo, and after he had wasted to get down to welterweight, Tszyu needed just 77 seconds in a division up.
So as for what Spence would have thought?
“He’s got his own fight to worry about,” Tszyu shrugged, referencing the American’s impending showdown against Terence Crawford.
OK, so what would he be telling his good mate Charlo by text then?
“What are they saying? Move up,” Tszyu laughed. “Move up Charlo.”
Asked about his decision to go for the quick finish, Tszyu continued: “It just landed.
“I knew he was going to be easier to hit (than Harrison) but I also knew he was a warrior, so I didn’t think a finish would happen that early.
“But when his legs buckled I got a bit excited actually, throwing haymakers.
“All I could think of was a mad highlight reel finish, one punch … and I got it, a left hook.”
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Told Crawford had himself tweeted afterwards ‘he’s dangerous’, Tszyu said: “That’s respect, man.
“He’s a great fighter and I’m backing him to beat Spence.”
As revealed by Fox Sports Australia this week, should Tszyu win the Ocampo bout, promoters No Limit are then hoping to have him defend against the winner of Crawford-Spence in March.
That fight would be held alongside the proposed NRL season launch in Las Vegas.
While Tszyu confirmed himself as world class against Harrison back in March, the Ocampo demolition was something else again.
Earlier this week, American fight analyst Shawn Porter – who was himself a two-time champion – suggested the impending blockbuster between Tszyu and Charlo was now a 50/50 fight.
He added it was also “getting harder for Charlo month after month”.
Tszyu agrees.
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Asked how different a fighter he would be when their showdown arrives later this year, as opposed to when they were first set to fight, he replied: “Another person”.
“Even in January I would’ve got the job done,” he said elsewhere in the press conference.
“But it’s good to have these two fights because the fight gets more and more interesting now.
“He (Charlo) is the man and I’m that top dog right underneath him.”
No Limit CEO George Rose said that with the WBO having already stated the fight must be held by September 30, they were now ready to work towards that timeline.
Despite the September deadline, there is talk the fight will likely be held in the first half of October.
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After a bizarre build up that saw Tszyu undergo emergency surgery – and receive a whopping 26 stitches — for a dog bite just three weeks before the bout, he still admitted afterwards to feeling “pumped” more than relieved.
“I’ve been through a bit but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” he said.
“I got the job down nice and quick.
“I was pumped afterwards.
“It wasn’t like a real happiness moment. Usually I’m like ‘yes’, so relieved.
“But it was ‘c’mon who is next, line three of them up in one night, I could’ve done it’.
“That’s what it felt like.”
Having twice rolling the dice this year with fights against Harrison and Ocampo, Tszyu also promised to continue his ‘anyone, anywhere’ mantra if he becomes world champion.
“It’s part of the sport,” he said.
“Part of success.
“There is no such thing as not taking risks. If you don’t take any risks you’re not going to achieve anything.
“You may as well go do something else with your life.”
On the quick finish, he continued: “I’m stoked it went the one round. You don’t get paid overtime in this sport.”