By Jake Tiernan: Jermell Charlo is facing his first real threat to his short seven-month reign as the four-belt undisputed champion when he faces the powerful Tim Tszyu late next month on January 28th on Showtime at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
Most would agree that Tszyu is going to rely on his power for him to have a shot at defeating the more skilled & athletic Charlo.
In Tszyu’s recent fight against 35-year-old Terrell Gausha, he was outboxed & schooled by the American in the first six rounds before his power allowed him to take over in the second half. Luckily for Tszyu, Gausha wasn’t a spring chicken.
If Tszyu attempts to box Charlo, he will suffer his first defeat because he’s not as fast of hand or foot as the champion.
Tszyu will need to put nonstop pressure on Jermell for him to win this fight because if he gets behind early, as we saw in his last fight, he’ll likely lose a decision.
Tim, the son of the famous former unified light welterweight world champion Kostya Tszyu, hasn’t tasted defeat yet, as he’s beaten his first 21 opponents, knocking out 15 of them along the way.
In Tszyu’s last fight, he battled his first top 15 opponent Gausha, and he struggled. in winning a 12 round unanimous decision last March. Tszyu won by the scores 114-113, 116-111, and 115-112.
The closeness of the fight showed that Tszyu needs more experience against other experienced top-tier contenders.
Gausha dropped Tszyu in the first round and got the better in some of the early action with his accurate punches and clever boxing skills.
That fight showed that Tszyu will have problems with boxers with talent, athleticism, and ring smarts to outwit him.
Tszyu would take more time slowly getting more experience against better opposition before he changes for a world title, but he’s not going to do that.
Tim is rushing straight into a fight against the #1 154-pounder on January 28th and will need to depend on his punching power to overcome the advantages Charlo has over him.
The 32-year-old Charlo will be defending his undisputed championship for the first time when he faces the younger 28-year-old unbeaten Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs), who has designs of beating the aging twin and bringing his four junior middleweight straps back to his native Australia where he’ll be celebrated and adored like other Aussie fighters like George Kambosos Jr, Anthony Mundune and Kostya Tszyu.
“I’m excited to be back in the ring to defend my undisputed crown,” Charlo said. “Tim Tszyu is a young, hungry, aggressive fighter, but I’m a pound-for-pound great.
“I reign as the undisputed champion, and if anyone wants a shot at the crown, they got to see me. I’m not going anywhere. I plan to show the world I’m the most dangerous fighter in the sport, regardless of division,” said Jermell.