WBO Orders Charlo Vs. Tszyu For September 30th

The WBO has ordered Jermell Charlo to face Tim Tszyu on September 30th, 2023, while the latter gets ready to fight Carlos Ocampo on June 18th, 2023.

Tszyu, the current WBO interim champion at 154 lbs, was on course to fight Charlo for the undisputed title in January, only for the fight to be pulled after the American broke his left hand.

Thereafter, Tszyu faced Tony Harrison, as he stopped him in nine rounds to become the interim champion.

But given that Charlo’s injury had been taking longer to heal, the Australian responded by agreeing to face Ocampo.

And now the WBO has demanded that the winner face Charlo.

The WBO have now stated that they will order Jermell Charlo to defend his undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO super-welterweight world titles vs Tim Tszyu by Sept 30th at the latest, providing Tszyu beats Carlos Ocampo on June 18th.

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 16, 2023

“Sanction approval is granted subject to the following provisions, most notably (i) the winner must face in his next bout the WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion no later than September 30, 2023; (ii) the winner must be available, ready, willing, and able to face in his next bout the WBO Jr. Middleweight Champion within the above referenced period,” WBO statement

The news is significant as it quells the criticism that Charlo has been facing over his inactivity. He has not been in the ring for around a year since his win over Brian Castano. 

However, there is a chance that Tszyu could come unstuck by choosing to face another opponent rather than waiting for Charlo.

With that being said, his promoter George Rose talked up the significance of Tszyu’s next fight. 

“It’s massive. It’s the news we’ve been waiting on but again highlights just how big a risk Tim’s fight next month on the Gold Coast is. If Tim’s loses, it’s over. No Charlo, no undisputed, no nothing.

“After all the waiting and uncertainty, it’s crazy to think it’s Jermell Charlo who has the advantage…He’s prepping now and doesn’t have a world-class, tough Mexican in Carlos Ocampo trying to take everything away from him.

“Sunday June 18 has just become a whole lot bigger. The stakes couldn’t be higher. His shot at undisputed depends on it,” Rose