International Boxing Hall of Famer Tim Bradley says it is too soon to write off Jermell Charlo’s chances against Tim Tszyu following his disappointing loss to undisputed super middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez late last month.
The 33-year-old Charlo 35-2-1 (19) jumped up two weight classes to challenge the Mexican superstar at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 30, losing a wide unanimous deicison.
The decision to face Alvarez cost him his WBO junior middleweight belt which was awarded to interim champion Tszyu 24-0 (17), who successfully defended the strap against Brian Mendoza 22-3 (16) by unanimous decision on the Gold Coast in Australia last weekend.
Charlo has flagged a move back down to the 154-pound division, where he still holds the WBC, WBA and IBF world titles along with the coveted Ring Magazine championship.
“It just all comes down to how [Jermall Charlo] comes down from [super middleweight back to junior middleweight],” ProBox TV analyst Bradley said. “If he can make that weight, maybe have a small title defense or so, and then fight Tim Tszyu, that would help serve [Charlo] if he were to fight Tim Tszyu.
“Tim Tszyu is ready for a Charlo. I think the fight is still a bit dangerous. I am not sure what Charlo we are going to get if he is coming back down from 168-pounds to 154 [lbs], you got to put some respect on Charlo’s name. He is still a champion there. He can still punch.”
Retired former two-division world champion and ProBox TV commentator and analyst Paulie Malignaggi praised Tszyu for his ability to vary his attack, saying he reminded him of one of his former sparring partners.
“One thing I have noticed [Tim Tszyu] does very well, despite not [using] a jab, he has a sort of change of speed I have noticed,” Malignaggi said. “He sort of sneaks up on you then he rushes you. He has subtle distance changes. [Tszyu] has a very, very good command of the distance.
“You know who Tim Tszyu reminds me of? I am going to come out with a random name, and people will think it is random, but I used to spar this kid, Ray Beltran. Ray Beltran used have this kid of style where he was the only guy in my life that made we question my jab without being able to jab back at me.”
Former WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri doesn’t think we will see Charlo box Tszyu any time soon.
“It is a very good match-up [between] Charlo and Tszyu, but I don’t think that will happen awhile. What is going to be next for Tim Tszyu is really the question?” ProBox TV commentator Algieri said.
“If [Charlo] is to make it back to 154 [pounds] he is going to need a fight before fighting Tim Tszyu, because he has to feel comfortable at that weight, but I am telling you going backwards on a scale is a very difficult thing to do after the age of thirty.”
