The next fight for Tim Tszyu is close to being finalised for September.
The unbeaten super-welterweight made light work of Steve Spark last week, in Newcastle, Australia, ending matters in the third round with a trademark body shot. The number-one rated WBO contender will have to wait a little longer for his world title shot and his team are looking at a significant step up in class for his next fight.
Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings said there are three candidates on the shortlist.
“Right now, the names on our list that we’re deep in [negotiations] with are Liam Smith, Danny Garcia’s is now on our list and Tony Harrison from the USA. It’s very close so we should be confident. And I think we’re happy to say that we’re gonna try and get this on in Australia. It’s really exciting. We’re done domestically and moving on to the international stage so it’s a great feeling for all of us.”
Brian Castano, the WBO world champion at 154lbs, battles for undisputed glory against Jermell Charlo this weekend and Tszyu’s promoter George Rose said they will be watching the fight closely.
“The big fight is coming. We’re going to be watching Charlo and Castano closely. Tim’s number one ranked in the WBO. This win [against Spark] should push him to number two in some of the other bodies. With that being said he’s the highest ranked super-welterweight across all of the major organisations and with that in mind he’s got to be pushing for that world title challenge. It’s a fight that the top guys wouldn’t want because Tim’s a dangerous guy. He’s the best super-welterweight in the world. We want that world title fight, we can’t get that we’ll knock off another international.”
Tszyu, who has beaten former world champion Jeff Horn and challenger Dennis Hogan in the past, was asked what he thought Charlo and Castano would have seen in his performance against Spark.
“Danger,” he answered.” I get rid of my opponents quite early now and I hurt them. It’s a risky fight for them as well.”
The son of the legendary Kostya then gave his prediction for the undisputed title fight.
“I think Charlo wins, out boxes him, keeps him at distance and counters him. Just does quite simple boxing. Doesn’t hurt him or anything, out boxes him.”