WBO Throws a Curve Ball at Tim Tszyu for Fighting Keith Thurman: “We Simply Can’t Break the Rules”

Christmas comes early for Tim Tszyu. The WBO champion’s wish of fighting on American soil for a blockbuster PPV comes true as he heralds the new PBC-Amazon Prime dawn on March 30. He will face the veteran Keith Thurman in an exciting matchup as he continues his surge in popularity. But there is a twist. The light middleweight champion risks losing the title without officially defending it.

‘The Soul Taker’ rose through the ranks in 2023, as he went 3-0 last year. During that splendid run, he captured the interim light middleweight title and was elevated to full champion after Jermell Charlo ventured out to meet Canelo Alvarez. Now the 29-year-old has the biggest fight and challenge of his career in Thurman. However, the WBO has come up with a clarification that only puts Tszyu in trouble.

Tim Tszyu is in deep waters for his Keith Thurman fight

Dan Rafael reported that the WBO refused to sanction the title fight, and therefore the slated fight is for 155-pound catchweight. Further, the WBO has pointed out Thurman’s inactivity as the reason the title is not on the line. Notably, Thurman last fought in 2022, a decision win over Mario Barrios.

Rafael wrote, “Per WBO, Team Tszyu WNO to sanction Thurman as title fight and were rejected. WBO to me: “We’re not sanctioning the fight for Tim’s 154 title because Thurman has been inactive and hasn’t fought at 154 nor is he rated. We simply can’t break the rules.” (more)”

Following this, Rafael disclosed that if the Australian champion were to lose the fight, the WBO would strip him. He penned, “Now the WBO will consider allowing the fight to be a nontitle fight, which is part of their rules for their champions. They likely will allow it but if they do and Tszyu loses the title will be vacant. Either way the fight is happening. #boxing #TszyuThurman”

What do the WBO rules say exactly?

While the fight has received a green signal from the sanctioning body, it comes with caveats. The rules state that a WBO champion can defend his title against top-15-ranked fighters besides the mandatory challenger. In addition, if the champion fights a non-championship bout, he will be subject to certain conditions that the WBO may decide. Here, it is the stripping of the title if Tszyu loses.

Tszyu has to tread carefully against Thurman, who has remained on top of his game despite fighting only once in the last four years. Additionally, their headliner is topped off by another exciting fight. Rolando Romero will defend his 140-pound title against Isaac Cruz on the same night.

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

What do you make of this exciting card featuring Tim Tszyu and Keith Thurman? Do you believe the WBO champion will continue his surge in stardom? Let us know in the comments below.

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