Australian WBO Super Welterweight interim champion Tim Tszyu will fight against Mexican contender Carlos Ocampo on June 18th, and has offered some thoughts on the division in the midst of his preparation. Jermell Charlo in particular was a brief topic during Tszyu’s interview with Fight Hub TV after the American’s poolside call-out towards Canelo Alvarez in which he was allegedly intoxicated.
Tim Tszyu (22-0, 16 KO’s) is still slated to face Jermell Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KO’s) for all his titles, but the American undisputed champion is not expected to return to the ring in the upcoming three months while apparently still recuperating from his hand injury. In an effort to stay active, Tszyu will be putting his interim belt on the line against Carlos Ocampo (34-2, 22 KO’s) on June 18th, even though he could have easily waited until Jermell Charlo was ready to fight.
Despite the challenges that lie ahead of him, Tszyu has not shown even a slight indication at being perturbed at the prospect of facing Ocampo, and afterwards possibly Charlo, and he seems more comfortable than ever at this point of his career.
“I want more, I want more. My hunger keeps growing. It’s crazy, you know. Like I keep wanting more. I keep looking forward to the future.” Tszyu said when asked on what he thought about his performance against Tony Harrison.
“I keep wanting to tick off bucket list moments. I learned that you got to enjoy what you doing. This is a lifestyle for me. I live and breathe it. I’m all in.
“Train, fight, relax. Train, fight, relax. And that’s how it’s gonna be. No blowouts, no getting fat, this is my life.“
Tszyu was also asked on his thoughts of Jermell Charlo’s rant which led to him calling out Canelo Alvarez to fight him. Noticeably absent during that rant was the mention of Tim Tszyu who Jermell Charlo will need to face this year if he doesn’t want to be stripped of his WBO title which would subsequently erase his status as undisputed champion of the 154-pound division.
“The decline of the Charlo.” Was Tim Tszyu’s response on the question on what he made of Jermell Charlo’s rant. “The fall, and the rise of someone new.”
Though Tim Tszyu will first have to make his way past Carlos Ocampo if he still hopes to have the opportunity to become undisputed by facing Jermell Charlo, the Australian believes that their bout can occur at the back end of this year.
“I’ll get him, at the end of the year, I’ll get him. There will be a new king in the division.” Tszyu said assertively.
Tim Tszyu and Carlos Ocampo are currently scheduled to face each other in Tszyu’s home country (though not his home region) at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland. While those two will main event, they will be co-headlined by Super Bantamweight contenders Australian fighter Sam Goodman (14-0, 7 KO’s) and American fighter Ra’eese Aleem (20-0, 12 KO’s) who will be involved in a IBF Final Eliminator to decide the next mandatory challenger for IBF and WBA world champion Marlon Tapales (37-3, 19 O’s) who recently became a unified champion following his victory over Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-1, 8 KO’s) in the beginning of April.
