Tim Tszyu-Tony Harrison Has Venue For March

With his challenge for the undisputed junior middleweight titles on hold, Australian top contender Tim Tszyu will fight fellow contender, and former brief world champ Tony Harrison of the U.S. next month for the vacant interim WBO 154 lb. title. And, now that fight has a location.

Our insider Dan Rafael reported Wednesday that Tszyu will return to fight in his hometown for Sunday March 12th there (Saturday night in the United States).

Here’s more from Dan:

“The bout will take place at Qudos Bank Arena in Tszyu’s hometown of Sydney, promoter George Rose of No Limit Boxing said on Tuesday.

The fight was made last month because Tszyu’s mandatory title shot against undisputed champion Jermell Charlo scheduled to take place on Jan. 28 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas in the main event of a Showtime telecast was canceled after Charlo fractured his left hand in two places during a sparring session.

With Charlo due to be in a cast for two months, followed by rehabilitation and then another training camp, the WBO sanctioned the interim title bout with Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs), 32, of Houston, obligated to face the winner upon his return, which likely will be this summer.

Tszyu-Harrison will be on pay-per-view through Foxtel and Kayo Sports in Australia. There is no set U.S. broadcaster, although it could land on Showtime, which has featured both fighters.

Tszyu (21-0, 15 KOs), 28, the son of Hall of Fame former undisputed junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu, and former titleholder Harrison (29-3-1, 21 KOs), 32, of Detroit, who is the only man to defeat Charlo, met at a news conference on Tuesday with Tszyu on site in Sydney and Harrison in attendance via satellite.

“Tim Tszyu is the undisputed superstar of Australian boxing and I am delighted he gets to fight for his very first world title in front of his incredible hometown fans in Sydney,” Rose said. “Tony Harrison is Tim’s toughest test by a mile and he will no doubt be ready to bring his very best on what I expect to be a tough day down under for him.”

The Qudos Bank Arena is a 20,000 seat venue for boxing and it’s where Tszyu fought two fights ago, when he decisioned Japan’s Takeshi Inoue in November 2021. Tszyu, who’s the most prominent star in Australian Boxing right now, came to America for his next bout and tasted the canvas early in his June 2022 fight with Terrell Gausha in Minneapolis. Tszyu got up, not seriously hurt went on to dominate Gausha and score a decision win to solidify his #1 ranking in the WBO.

Harrison upset Jermell Charlo by controversial decision in December 2018, but after an ankle injury delayed their rematch for over six months, they finally met again in December 2019. Charlo avenged his loss with an 11th round KO. Harrison’s most recent fight was last April in a 10 round decision win over Sergio Garcia.

It’s believed that if Tszyu wins, he could get the undisputed bout with a healed up Charlo in the late Summer.