‘Guy is a problem’: Top US pundit raves about ‘beast’ Tszyu, makes big pound-for-pound list call

Tim Tszyu’s star continues to rise globally with a top US pundit suggesting the Australian should start favourite against Jermell Charlo and could be “knocking on the pound-for-pound list sooner than later”.

Already a superstar in Australia, Tszyu has gathered worldwide acclaim and credibility with three outstanding wins this year while his mandated undisputed junior middleweight fight with Jermell Charlo was delayed.

Tszyu comprehensively defeated dangerous American Brian Mendozo earlier this month to potentially set up a long-awaited 2024 bout with Charlo, who suffered a heavy defeat to Canelo Alvarez after moving up two divisions to take on the legendary Mexican.

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ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, one of the most respected pundits in boxing, said this week there could be no doubt Tszyu was now the real deal, with huge fights in the offing.“If you’re not on the Tim Tszyu bandwagon right now, I think it’s time to jump on,” Coppinger said on ESPN’s State of Boxing program.

“This guy is a problem, I’m telling you. He is a beast and Jermell Charlo does not want these problems.

“Tim Tszyu has a very patient approach, you never see him take a step backwards, big-time power in both hands. I think his defence is better than people give him credit for and he has a winning mindset.

“We saw him pick apart a very good fighter, a very tough fighter in Brian Mendoza with fundamentals, patience and punch variety . Right uppercuts, left hooks . I think Tim Tszyu has it all.

“He’s staying active. He didn’t wait around for Jermell Charlo to reschedule, thank god because he got three fights in 2023 and now he is ready for Jermell Charlo next year and anybody else.

“I think he is going to be a guy knocking on the pound-for-pound list sooner than later and he’s a lot more than just a famous last name.”

Tszyu bluntly called out Charlo again after beating Mendoza and while some believe the American may fear facing the Australian, Coppinger believes the stakes are high enough for Charlo to take the fight.

“I do think he’s a problem for Jermell Charlo but I also think that the reward is going to match the risk,” Coppinger said.

“I think Tim Tszyu is really building a big name for himself … obviously already a star in Australia. But that fan-friendly style – big power, always coming forward – I think is going to make him a star.

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“He said that was his last fight in Australia. He’s setting up shop in the US now so what better way than to fight Jermell Charlo in that rescheduled fight for the undisputed junior middleweight championship? I think it’s a big fight, I think Tim Tszyu has to be favourite with how active he’s been, how much he’s improved in the last three to five fights and after that, Tim Tszyu can go up (weight divisions) and be in some really big fights.

“The most important thing is this is a guy who can not only fight in the ring, he talks good trash and he has a good look to him. I think he’s a star in the making.”

Coppinger’s enthusiasm was not shared by fellow pundit and former five-time world champion Timothy Bradley, who said many were overlooking Tszyu’s glaring flaws.

“Oh my gosh, Copp, you in love with Tim Tszyu huh?,’’ Bradley said. “You dont see what I see do you?

“Yes Tim Tszyu, he’s a good fighter, he really is. Great performance he put on (against Mendoza). But you’ve got to look between, you’ve got to see what’s going on inside the ring and let me tell you folks; he’s jab-deficient

“You know who’s not jab-deficient? His name is Charlo. He’s not jab deficient and also, he’s bigger and he can put combinations together and he’s got the complete arsenal with the uppercut , the body shots as well.”

Bradley viewed Tszyu vs Charlo as a “50-50 fight”.

“We know what gives Charlo problems, it’s pressure, but at the same time, Tim Tszyu is going to come in, be jab-deficient, he’s going to get peppered from the outside because he has a shorter reach and he’s a shorter man.

“He’s going to get hit with uppercuts, hit with the right hand . This guy, he shuffles his feet man, Shuffles his feet in place. There’s so many things he does wrong in the ring and people are just moving past that …  you can turn this guy, all the time , every which way.

“He moves back in straight lines as well .. you can play tricks and mind games with a guy like Tim Tszyu. Yes, quality opponent, super strong, good at what he does, great breakdown type of fighter, I get that. But a smart boxer, a savvy boxer? No doubt about it, he’d beat him.”