Fighter of the Week (6/12-6/18): Tim Tszyu
On a relatively quiet week of prizefighting, where most of the attention was directed at the southern United States, it was the southern hemisphere that produced all the fireworks. WBO interim junior middleweight champ "The Soultaker" Tim Tszyu scored a shocking first-round knockout of rugged contender and former world title challenger Carlos Ocampo. Tszyu, who is at some point in line to fight the undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo, who is recovering from a hand injury, moved his undefeated record to 23-0 (17), defends his interim title, stopped Ocampo quicker than Spence did, and takes home our Fighter of the Week award. He is also creating his own legacy, not simply the son of the legendary junior welterweight. Tsyzu has established himself as a legitimate force and world-class 154-pounder.
Tszyu, a native of New South Wales, Australia, took to the beautiful summer vacation area of Broadbeach, Australia, and was met with massive applause from his adoring fans. It will take you much longer to read this edition of Fighter of the Week, than it actually took our Fighter of the Week to dispose of his opponent. Much to the delight of the Tszyu faithful at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. Just 20 seconds in, the Australian blasted his outmatched opponent with a left-right two-piece that stunned him. Tszyu immediately went in for the kill and started unloading on Ocampo. One particular right-hand dropped Ocampo who got to his feet at the count of five but was not stable. A left hook came in and dropped him again as Tszyu rolled to victory via first-round KO just 77 seconds into the fight.
The path for the son of the legendary camp is as clear as it can be. Having now stopped Tony Harrison and Ocampo this year, he simply needs to continue to wait. Wait for what is already owed to him. Tszyu is in line to fight Charlo for all the junior middleweight belts. Unfortunately for the Australian, Charlo is not overly active and doesn't seem to be eager to hop in the ring with Tszyu or anyone for that matter. The Houston, Texas native has not fought in over a year and has fought just three times in the last three and a half years. The Charlo-Tszyu fight has been mandated by the WBO and isn't going to go away for Charlo. It's just a matter of time for Tszyu. However, it would still be a little while till fight fans get this fight. As we have seen with Big Charlo in a division north. The sanctioning bodies seem to be in no rush for their champions into the ring. Charlo's twin brother Jermall has been inactive for over two years
