After a dominant victory over Brian Mendoza in Queensland, Australia, Tim Tszyu has set his sights on a showdown with boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez. Tszyu, now focusing on international names, aspires to take on big fighters like Canelo, Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr., and Jermell Charlo. However, he believes a bout with Charlo might not materialize soon given Charlo’s recent earnings from his fight with Canelo.
Tszyu expressed that fighting Canelo would be an “honor”, anticipating a high-profile bout that would intrigue fans in both the USA and Australia. This statement followed his unanimous decision victory against Mendoza with scorecards reading 116-112, 116-111, and 117-111.
While Canelo’s next opponent for his May fight remains undecided, Tszyu’s entry could make things interesting. However, given Canelo’s recent bout against a 154-pounder in Charlo, he might be hesitant to take on Tszyu to avoid potential criticism. Jermell Charlo’s performance, which seemed geared towards not getting knocked out to ensure a fight against Terence Crawford, contrasted sharply with Tszyu’s commitment to the sport. For Tszyu to entice Canelo, a strategic move to 160 to challenge champions like Janibek Alimkhanuly, Erislandy Lara, or Carlos Adames could be a good plan. Facing Janibek would be ideal, giving Tszyu a chance for two belts. However, Top Rank’s intentions with Janibek are not clear.
Promoter George Rose praised Tszyu’s composed performance against Mendoza, highlighting Tszyu’s patience and strategy throughout the fight. Mendoza’s resilience was notable, with some believing the referee could have ended the bout in the 11th round due to the significant punishment he endured.
Rose emphasized Tszyu’s dominance at 154, suggesting fighters moving up from 147 would have to challenge Tszyu to make their mark. With Tszyu holding a belt, he becomes an even more attractive option for top fighters looking for a credible opponent. The next steps for Tszyu will be pivotal as he continues his pursuit of boxing supremacy.
Image Credit: Premier Boxing Champions