Tszyu’s Post-Knockout Vision: From Spencer Victory To A Star-Studded Lineup, Including Charlo, Spence, And Thurman

Tim Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs) says he’s not sure yet who he wants to fight next following his fourth-round technical knockout win over Joey Spencer (19-2, 11 KOs) on Saturday night at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, Australia.

Tszyu, 30, made quick work of Spencer, unloading with a barrage of punches in the fourth round to get the knockout. In the former WBO junior middleweight champion Tszyu’s mind, now that he’s got the tune-up out of the way, he wants a big fight next.

Target List

– Keith Thurman
– Jermell Charlo
– Errol Spence
– Bakhram Murtazaliev
– Vergil Ortiz Jr.
– Sebastian Fundora

Some are unrealistic for Tszyu because he didn’t seem enthusiastic when he mentioned Vergil Jr. and Murtazaliev’s names as possibilities. It’s not surprising. The way Tszyu fought tonight, he’d have problems with the IBF 154-lb champion Bakhrham Murtazaliev because he was just slugging. That’s what got him knocked out against Murtazaliev.

The Relics

Fighting the inactive Jermell Charlo, Thurman, or Spencer would be more on the level of the business-level matches for Tszyu. Those guys rarely fight, and none of them are considered relevant at 154. They’re relics from the past and don’t have a place in this era of the sport other than coming back for paydays but not for winning or fighting for a world title.

“Yes, of course, but like I said. We got the rehydration,” said Tim Tszyu at the post-fight press conference when asked if he’d like a rematch with IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev next. “Fundora probably. But look, there’s [Jermell] Charlo, there’s Thurman, there’s Errol Spence and Vergil Ortiz,” said Tszyu, rattling off different fighters he could face next.

“This is the list, and they all could be #1. If we do Thurman, we’d do it in Australia. If we can make that happen, it’s a big fight in Australia. Also, the world titles and the big boys. That’s where I want to be at.”