Tim Tszyu "hasn't done shit in boxing" and is a "paper champion" said American rival Jermell Charlo ahead of his undisputed showdown with Canelo Alvarez.
Charlo chose to move up two weight classes to chase history in a big money fight against undisputed super middleweight champ, Canelo Alvarez, instead of fulfilling his obligations to the WBO to fight Tszyu.
The Australian and Charlo were set to fight twice and WBO officials will strip Charlo of one of the four belts he currently owns as soon as he steps in the ring against Alvarez. Tszyu secured the interim title after defeating Tony Harrison and then backed that up with a first round KO of Mexican Carlos Ocampo.
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Once being elevated to regular champion, Tszyu will then defend the title against American Brian Mendoza on the Gold Coast on October 15.
Speaking to Main Event in Las Vegas ahead of his showdown with Alvarez, Charlo denounced the move to promote Tszyu to regular champion, questioning the undefeated 28-year-old's championship credentials.
"Right now Tim Tszyu is considered a paper champion," Charlo said. "If he gets the WBO (belt) and they elevate him, he's a paper champion.
"A champion that didn't have to do anything. A spar champion. I had to knock everybody out for my belts.
"So if Tszyu is watching, hey, don't be too high up on your horse because you didn't do nothing in boxing."
Charlo said taking the Alvarez fight over his proposed bout with the Sydney fighter was not a difficult decision to make, while mocking Tszyu's last name.
"Of course I'm going to take a bigger opportunity like Canelo over Tim Ta-Zoo," he said.
"Who is Tim Ta-Zoo? Australia knows, but not the world of boxing. He's not a legitimate champion.
"He fought Ocampo. Who is Ocampo? He didn't fight dog tough, hard, hard fights. So keep on going, maybe he'll get opportunity. But I'm the man. I'm the one who did it in boxing.
"Tim Ta-Zoo didn't do nothing in boxing. So tell him to stay humble, keep quiet and time will tell."
Charlo, who predicted Mendoza to win via knockout against Tszyu, was told of the Aussie predicting a loss for the Texan on Sunday.
"He can't predict this fight. His prediction don't matter. Tell him to go tell it to his fans. Who cares?," he bit back.
"I'm going to fight and make quadruple the money he ever will probably see his whole career. Tim Ta-Zoo hasn't done shit in boxing."
As for Charlo's bout with Alvarez, he's the one moving up, he is four inches taller than the 5-foot-8 Alvarez and has a 2.5 inch reach advantage. Alvarez said his experience will help him counter the size deficiency.
"I've been in the ring with a lot of styles, all kind of fighters," Alvarez said. "My whole career, I've been fighting with (boxers) taller than me, so I know how."
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Charlo, who lives in Houston, already is talking about a rematch, which likely would come if he beats Alvarez.
"I don't think Canelo has faced a fighter of my calibre," Charlo said. "He's been in there with great fighters, but there's something I bring to the table that's a lot different than anyone he's seen. I defy the science of boxing.
"I'm one of the guys from the younger era and I've been fighting my whole life. What I've been through in life, a lot of people can't compare to that. I deserve to be in my position and now I get to prove my worthiness."
Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo news
If Alvarez prevails, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has declared David Benavidez will be his mandatory challenger for the super middleweight belt.
But Alvarez has not committed to facing Benavidez, a 26-year-old who is 27-0 with all but four by knockout. If Alvarez beats Charlo and turns down Benavidez, the WBC likely would vacate his championship.
"I'm going to win (versus Charlo), but I don't know what is next," Alvarez said. "I'm going to sit down with my team and talk about it because I'm 100 per cent focused on this fight."
As for his potential options post-Charlo, Alvarez said his intention would be to "make the best fights out there. We will see after this fight."
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The fight with Charlo should be enough on its own to capture Alvarez's focus, especially given his most recent bouts.
He lost by unanimous decision to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022, though all three judges had the fight close at 115-113. Alvarez rebounded with a unanimous decision a year ago over Golovkin and then easily beat John Ryder in May on the scorecards. But Triple G had seen his best boxing days, and Ryder was simply outclassed.
"I never overlook any fighter" Alvarez said. "I know what he's going to bring and I'm ready. He hasn't experienced this kind of level of fight.
"I want history for my career. I want to achieve a lot of things. This is another one of them and I can't wait."
Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo date
Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo is on October 1 AEDT.
Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo location
Canelo Álvarez vs Jermell Charlo will take place at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
How to watch Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo
You can watch the fight on Fox Sports' Main Event and Kayo. These are the pay-per-view main card starting times in each state, due to daylight savings.
- NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and ACT – 11am AEDT
- South Australia – 10:30pm ACDT
- Queensland – 10am AEST
- Northern Territory – 9:30am ACST
- Western Australia – 8am AWST
Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo odds
(Odds may change)
Canelo goes into the fight as the heavy favourite; with Sportsbet paying $1.25 for a head to head victory, while Charlo is paying $4.25.
Canelo Alvarez record and bio
- Nationality: Mexican
- Born: July 18, 1990
- Height: 5-7 1/2
- Reach: 70.5 inches
- Total fights: 63
- Record: 59-2-2 with 39 wins via knockout
Jermell Charlo record and bio
- Nationality: American
- Born: May 19, 1990
- Height: 5-11
- Reach: 73 inches
- Total fights: 37
- Record: 35-1-1 with 19 wins via knockout
Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo main card
Canelo Alvarez (c) vs. Jermell Charlo for the undisputed super middleweight titles
Jesus Ramos Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin; super welterweights
Yordenis Ugas vs. Mario Barrios for the interim WBC welterweight title
Elijah Garcia vs. Armando Resendiz; middleweight
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