Next steps for Tim Tszyu: Fights against Michael Zerafa, Crawford, Spence possible after Charlo blow

Aussie boxing prodigy Tim Tszyu has been dealt a severe setback as his long-awaited clash with the world champion Jermell Charlo has been shockingly canceled, and now his team are looking for alternative opponents.

Charlo, renowned for his impeccable record of 35 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, has made the abrupt decision to jump weight divisions, opting to face another undisputed champion in the ring, the legendary Canelo Alvarez.

Like Aussie fight fans, Team Tszyu were blindsided by the Charlo-Alvarez plans and only found out via social media on Saturday morning.

Alvarez, with an impressive track record of 59 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, along with a staggering 39 knockout victories, emerged as Charlo’s new adversary in this eleventh-hour alteration.

Initially, Alvarez had been slated to square off against Charlo’s twin brother, Jermall, in what was poised to be an epic showdown between two undefeated champions.

Team Tszyu were blindsided by the Charlo-Alvarez plans and only found out via social media on Saturday morning

Jermell Charlo has opted to face the legendary Canelo Alvarez instead of Tszyu

However, fate had other ideas, leading to this last-minute swap that will pit Alvarez, the undisputed middleweight champion, against Charlo, the reigning undisputed junior middleweight champion.

The development has left the super-welterweight division in disarray, and is a bitter hammer blow to Tszyu.

Here are some possible scenarios for the Aussie.

Tszyu is elevated from interim to full world champion

The WBO could strip Charlo of his belt and elevate the undefeated Aussie to full champion status.

If this happens other sanctioning bodies will follow suit and the rest of the super-welterweight belts will suddenly be on the table.

The WBO could also decide to keep Charlo on as champion, and cash in on the Canelo-Charlo blockbuster.

The sanctioning body has yet to comment on the status of Charlo’s title reign, but are expected to in the coming week. 

A showdown with bitter rival Michael Zerafa 

Tszyu’s bitter rival Michael Zerafa has suggested an all-Aussie blockbuster between the pair

Zerafa, who is now on the cusp of his own title shot, says he’d like to take on Tszyu soon

An all-Aussie showdown between heated rivals Tszyu and Zerafa could now be a good option, with the Melbourne fighter on the cusp of his own world title.

Zerafa was branded the most hated man in Aussie boxing when he pulled out of his scheduled fight with Tszyu in 2021 – and Tszyu vowed never to give him another chance.

The fight would be a domestic blockbuster, and now more than ever might appeal to the Tszyu team.

‘I’ve got a world title [shot]; he thinks he has a world title. I’m happy to fight him and shut him up once and for all. My manager deals with everything for me and I know for a fact that he wants that [Tszyu] fight,’ Zerafa told the Herald.

‘Australia wants that fight. The world wants that fight. Zerafa v Tszyu is the biggest fight in boxing, it’s huge, it’s [Anthony] Mundine-[Danny] Green all over again.

‘For me, if it makes dollars it makes sense. If it sets up something bigger in the future, I’m more than happy to take that fight. Let’s put it all on the line because, for me, that’s a legacy fight.

‘I can redeem myself. Everyone thinks I ran away and chickened out of that fight. Me and Tim Tszyu is redemption for me. I’m coming to take his head off his shoulders.’

A fight with the winner of Terence Crawford and Errol Spence

Tszyu could potentially fight the winner of the much-anticipated Spence-Crawford bout

If Tszyu is elevated to full champion, the winner of the welterweight Spence-Crawford fight can potentially move up a weight class and become the WBO mandatory at super-welterweight.

Both have spoken about moving up in weight, and Tszyu’s team has reportedly already had discussions about taking on the winner. 

However, if the Spence-Crawford bout is close or controversial a rematch between the superstar pair is likely. 

A fight with the winner of Brian Mendoza and Sebastian Fundora 

Imposing 6-foot-6 southpaw Sebastian Fundora could be an option for Tszyu if he wins his rematch with Brian Mendoza

Mendoza is the current interim WBC super-welterweight champ, and is expected to be fighting Fundora in a rematch this year.

If Charlo is stripped, the pair will be fighting for the full WBC title, and Tszyu would be likely back himself against either opponent.

Both Mendoza and Fundora have expressed interest in fighting the Aussie previously. 

A fight with Brian Castano 

Brian Castano could be another option for Tszyu having fought thrilling bouts with Charlo

Aggressive Argentinian Brian Castano is a world-class fighter who once held the WBO super-welterweight strap.

He fought a couple of thrilling fights with Charlo, with many thinking Castano won their controversial first bout which was ruled a split draw.

Tszyu has said he is ‘ten times stronger than Castano’ and now might be a good time to prove it.