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Jake Michaels, ESPN Senior Writer
GOLD COAST, Australia — Tim Tszyu sent an ominous warning to Jermell Charlo, flooring his latest challenger Carlos Ocampo inside 90 seconds to set up a blockbuster fight against the American star for the undisputed light middleweight championship.
The Australian wasted no time in his maiden world title defence, coming out swinging from the opening bell at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. He landed several shots to Ocampo’s head, dropping him with a right hook and again with a left uppercut, leaving referee Danrex Tapdasan no choice but to end the contest.
Tszyu improves to 23-0 (17 KOs) and is now expected to fight Charlo for the his quartet of belts at 154-pounds by no later than Sep. 30 this year, per the WBO’s recent mandate. The fight will likely take place in Las Vegas.
When asked if he had a specific message for Charlo, Tszyu said: “I did it quicker than your boy [Errol Spence Jr.], man. So come on, let’s dance.”
It’s not the first time Tszyu has put himself in this position. He and Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) had agreed to fight earlier in the year; however, it was indefinitely postponed after the American boxer broke his left hand in two places at the back end of his training camp.
Instead of waiting for Charlo to recover, Tszyu opted to stay active. He first fought and beat Tony Harrison for the WBO interim super-welterweight title in March before stepping into the ring again and defending his title against Ocampo in style.
Earlier, Australian Sam Goodman claimed the super bantamweight world title eliminator against American Ra’eese Aleem by split decision, improving to 15-0.
More to follow…