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Tim Tszyu is one step closer to a unified mega-war with Jermal Charlo after WBO instructed the Americans to defend his belt against the undefeated Australians.
Tszyu has been WBO’s No. 1 compulsive challenger in super-welterweight for more than a year, persuading the approval body to intervene after Charlo’s victory over Brian Castano last month.
Also the holder of WBC, IBF and WBA belts, Charlow’s victory in California elevated the 32-year-old to boxing immortality, the seventh person in history to claim four big straps in a division.
Now Tszyu has the opportunity to emulate his legendary father Costa, who consolidated the light-welterweight division in 2001 by knocking out American Job Judah in the second round in Las Vegas.
Tszyu and Charlo Camp have a June 20 deadline for the fight, proposed for August 28, or a purse bid will be held.
“The WBO World Championship Committee hereby instructs the teams to begin negotiations for the aforementioned WBO Junior Middleweight Compulsory Championship,” the WBO statement said.
“It is kindly suggested that after receiving this letter, the parties have twenty (20) days to reach an agreement.
“If an agreement is not reached within the stipulated time frame, a purse bid will be ordered according to the WBO regulations of the World Championships.
“The lowest bid accepted for the WBO Junior Middleweight Division is $ 200,000 (27 A278,552). The parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process.
“If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact WBO.”
Charlo 35-1-1 (19KO) is ranked among the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
As well as being ranked No. 2 in his WBO rankings, Tszyu (21-0, 15KO) is rated N.2 on WBC and No. 3 on IBF.
Tszyu told the AAP last month that he would ask his promoters to set up a showdown with Charlo in the United States, but it is understood that No Limit Boxing is trying to persuade the 28-year-old to let them fight in Australia.
© AAP