Boxing world champion Jermell Charlo slams fake injury reports after cancelled bout with Tim Tszyu

Boxing world champion Jermell Charlo has shared photos of his broken hand alongside a medical certificate after fans accused him of faking injury to pull out of his blockbuster showdown with Tim Tszyu.

Charlo, 32, was scheduled to defend the super welterweight world title in Las Vegas on January 28 against Tszyu – but he broke his hand in two places while sparring at his gym in Houston.

Boxing world champion Jermell Charlo (pictured) has shared photos of his broken hand alongside a medical certificate after fans accused him of faking injury to pull out of his blockbuster showdown with Tim Tszyu

Charlo, 32, was scheduled to defend the super welterweight world title in Las Vegas on January 28 against Tszyu – but he broke his hand in two places while sparring at his gym

The trash-talking American claimed that even with one hand he would have still beaten the Aussie, but the doctors and boxing commission wouldn’t allow it to go ahead.

Some fans on social media demanded to see proof of Charlo’s injury, claiming the undisputed champ was faking so he wouldn’t have to face the hard-punching Tszyu, who has 15 knockouts to his name.

Adding his voice to these skeptics was boxer Brian Castano, who himself suffered an injury before a bout with Charlo and was accused by the champ of faking the injury.

Charlo took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to defend himself and posted several pics of his broken hand as well as a medical certificate detailing the injury

‘I hope Charlo presents medical evidence supporting that the injury he mentions is real for the Tim Tszyu fight,’ Castano said. ‘You never know with him.’

Charlo took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to defend himself and posted several pics of his broken hand as well as a medical certificate detailing the injury.

Alongside the photos, Charlo wrote: ’37 fights in ain’t never had to postpone s***. I’ll never back out or down from any man. Im King of 154. This ain’t no mental health issue, this ain’t no sling you can buy at a pharmacy like Castano did. Imma bounce back & give my supporters 2 fights this yr. Stay tune.’

Charlo will need two months in a cast before he can begin to think about rehabilitation, so Tszyu could be potentially looking at a title fight in June or July.

Charlo will need two months in a cast before he can think about rehabilitation, so Tszyu (pictured fighting Terrell Gausha) could be potentially looking at a title fight in June or July

The Aussie has already been out of the ring for nine months, so will now be looking for a replacement bout in the meantime. 

Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings posted a statement to social media on Monday confirming that the undefeated fighter will stay in the US until they find a new opponent.

‘Just a quick update as to where to from here, since Charlo injury postponed Jan 28 Undisputed Title. Team Tszyu will continue on in camp USA whilst Matt Rose and I are working to find a replacement fight for Tim to keep him busy,’ he said.

‘You all know Tim can’t sit around waiting, so we are exploring all options for a fight asap. Tim is disappointed, but focused still on what comes next.

When the fight is rescheduled with Charlo, Tszyu (pictured) will attempt to become the first Australian boxer in the 18-year four-belt era to become an undisputed world champion

‘He’s a fighter, he wants to fight, so waiting for Charlo recovery is not an option…until then training continues in USA.

‘I’ll do my best to keep you all informed as we get closer to an outcome that works. Tim will be ready for Charlo once he’s cleared for undisputed and Tim will be even more determined to bring all 4 belts home.

When the fight is rescheduled with Charlo, Tszyu will attempt to become the first Australian boxer in the 18-year four-belt era to become an undisputed world champion.

The 28-year-old with a career record of 21-0 is trying to emulate his father Kostya in becoming a unified world boxing champion.