Jermell Charlo has fought one elite opponent after another for eight, nine years. And he has beaten everyone he has fought.
The undisputed 154-pound champion avenged a close-decision loss to slick Tony Harrison and a draw with aggressive Brian Castano by stopping both men in rematches, leaving no doubt about his superiority. Few fighters can match his level of success.
Charlo’s next legitimate challenge comes on Jan. 28, when the 32-year-old Texan will face top-ranked Tim Tszyu of Australia in Las Vegas (Showtime). He expects a similar outcome.
“I knew that once I got to this point in my life, that I’d face nothing but top tier guys,” Charlo said Wednesday on a Zoom call that featured both fighters. “That’s all I want. I don’t underestimate anyone, but Tim Tszyu is not the same caliber as I am. His father has done things in boxing, but my pedigree is strong. My pedigree is proven and has been destined for many years.
“Tszyu is young and hungry but I’m young and hungry as well. I’m in the prime of my life, and I’m going to challenge myself on January 28.”
Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs) is a newer addition to the exclusive club of top-tier fighters.
The son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu had his break through in 2020, when he knocked out countryman and Manny Pacquiao conqueror Jeff Horn in eight rounds.
He’s coming off biggest victory, a unanimous decision over former U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha this past March in Minneapolis that earned him the holy grail of boxing opportunities, a shot at all four major titles in one fight.
Where going to find out exactly how good the 28-year-old from Sydney is on Jan. 28, the same date his father stopped Jake Rodriguez to win his first title in 1995.
“When I first was told about the date, I didn’t realize that was the same date my father fought for his first world title,” the younger Tszyu said. “I don’t usually believe in fate. I think destiny and fate is something that you have to work for.
“For me, I feel like it doesn’t matter about the bloodline. It’s about what you, yourself put into it. I’ve been eyeing this fight for two years now. It’s been in the back of my mind, and I’ve been studying and obsessing over it. I’ve been pushing for this hard.
“This is the test that I need in my career. This is it for me, kill or be killed.”
Of course, it’s a test Charlo believes Tszyu will fail. “Nobody is ready for me in my division,” he said. And Tszyu made a bold prediction, saying, “There’s going to be a new king of the division on January 28.”
They both have reason to believe they’re right.
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