Three-weight world champion Terence Crawford (40-0) is reportedly looking at making a fight with WBO super welterweight titleholder Tim Tszyu (24-0).
According to Crawford’s trainer, Bernie Davis, the undefeated 36-year-old is eyeing off a world title in a fourth division, with Australia’s Tszyu at the top of his hitlist.
Tszyu, 29, announced himself to the world with victories over Tony Harrison and Carlos Ocampo, seeing him elevated to world champion with the WBO after Jermell Charlo was stripped of the belt, before defending the title against Brian Mendoza in a busy 2023.
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Crawford had seemingly been waiting for a contracted rematch with Errol Spence to be arranged, although the latter’s recent cataract surgery has sidelined those plans, while some have been calling for “Bud” to take on Jaron “Boots” Ennis in a welterweight unification bout.
Tim Tszyu the ‘right one’ for Terence Crawford’s next fight
Speaking on MillCity Boxing, Davis said a fight with Sydneysider Tszyu was currently the frontrunner.
“I think Tszyu will be the right one since we can’t get Spence,” Davis said.
“We want to move up and still make history, still have something to get up for and even though ‘Boots’ is an attractive option, I think Tszyu just edges him a little bit.
“I think Tszyu fought the better competition, I think he’s been looking more spectacular in his fights and he got the country [Australia] behind him.
“Plus, he has something that we want. It’s another weight class to jump and it’s another something to aspire to.
“So that’s where I would think we would land.”
Sporting News can confirm the interest in a fight with Crawford is also concrete on Tszyu’s side, although the Aussie will likely have at least one fight before then.
Davis also poured cold water over possible matchups with Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez, while adding he’d like to see Jermell Charlo “get himself together” before a possible bout with Crawford.
“This guy Tszyu’s coming off some big wins,” he said.
“Beating Mendoza who was coming off a big win and is kind of a seasoned fighter, he been at the world level and Tszyu got the country behind him, been looking good technically, been looking better every fight… and he got the belt.”
Tszyu is currently attempting to line up a bout in Las Vegas in late March, with former world title challenger Erickson Lubin the likely opponent.
After an eye-catching 12 months, and with Charlo absent and facing assault charges, Tszyu has become the man to beat at 154-pounds and recently responded to a callout from the returning Vergil Ortiz, confirming his interest in a clash with the Texan knockout artist.
Crawford hasn’t fought since his July demolition of Spence which made him undisputed in a second weight class and cemented his status as arguably the sport’s pound-for-pound number one.
A fight between the pair in Australia, where Tszyu is wildly popular, could almost certainly sell out a stadium.
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