Boxing News: Erickson Lubin Withdraws from Negotiations for Tim Tszyu World Title Fight, Focus Shifts on Terence Crawford Among Others

Tim Tszyu, the WBO junior middleweight champion, had initially planned to make his Las Vegas debut on the first weekend in March. The anticipation was high as his promoter aimed to have him headline a show coinciding with the National Rugby League’s season-opening games in the gambling capital.

However, a change in plans emerged, and the debut in Las Vegas is now postponed. Moreover, recent reports have also revealed that his potential challenger Erickson Lubin has withdrawn from the showdown and now Tszyu will have to look for an opponent. His focus might turn toward other big names in the 154-pound division.

Tim Tszyu needs to finalize an opponent again

In Australia back in October 2023, Tim Tszyu successfully defended his WBO junior middleweight title with an impressive twelve-round unanimous decision over top contender Brian Mendoza. Following this triumph, Tszyu reportedly embarked on a journey to Thailand a few months ago. This was done to gear up for an intense training camp in preparation for a potential world title defense scheduled for March. However, currently, Tszyu finds himself in a precarious position as his opponent has withdrawn from the fight, as reported by Australian boxing commentator Ben Damon.

The reasons are currently not known and it is something that has tarnished the plans for Tszyu’s first fight of 2024.

But not all hope is lost as Tim Tszyu still has some potential fights lined up for himself. The intrigue has grown higher, as he’s been called out by the 2x undisputed champion Terence Crawford’s team not so long ago.

Tszyu’s potential opponents

American boxing sensation Terence Crawford is eyeing a move up in weight to challenge Australia’s Tim Tszyu for the WBO super welterweight crown. The trainer for Team Crawford, Bernie Davis, has labeled Tszyu as the “most attractive” option for the pound-for-pound king, marking a shift from initial plans for a rematch with Errol Spence.

Spence’s cataract surgery has derailed the chances of a rematch happening anytime soon. Amid these developments, Crawford, keen on making history, is exploring the opportunity to vie for a title at a fourth weight class. His trainer Davis said, “I think Tszyu will be the right one since we can’t get [Errol] Spence. We want to move up and make history, have something to get up for.”

Read More: Tim Tszyu Brands Jermell Charlo “Delusional” While Calling Him Out for a Fight

Besides Crawford, Tim Tszyu had also been linked with Jermell Charlo and Virgil Ortiz Jr. for a fight. It remains to be seen what decision the WBO titlist will take now that his opponent has withdrawn from the fight. What are your thoughts about this? Let us know in the comments section.

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