Super Welterweight Champion Jermell Charlo Breaks Left Pinkie and Thumb, Tim Tszyu Bout is Postponed
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Houston, Texas (December 25th, 2022)– In the final major boxing development of 2022, the January 28, 2023 world super welterweight unified titular defense of Jermell ‘Iron Man’ Charlo of the United States against number one contender Tim Tszyu of Australia has been postponed indefinitely, after Charlo broke the left pinkie and left thumb of his left hand during a sparring session in Houston, Texas, after throwing and landing a left-hand punch.
Charlo, 35-1-1 with 19 knockouts, Richland, Texas, who won his rematch with Brian Carlos Castano in May 2022 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, could be out of action now for over a year. Charlo’s left hand has been placed in a cast for at least two months after being treated by two physicians and a hand specialist. Rehabilitation can only take place when the cast is removed, leaving open the possibility that Tszyu, Castano, Tony Harrison and others could be involved in interim world title bouts involving the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF while Jermell Charlo remains on the sidelines as an undisputed world champion in recess. Showtime has not set a rescheduled 2023 date for the bout.
Explained Jermell Charlo, “I was sparring, and I threw this nice punch, and as soon as it landed, I knew something was wrong. I felt my hand throbbing right away. I had two X-rays and an MRI to see what was wrong. It showed it was broken in two places. I hate this feeling. My hand will be in a cast for two months. I’m as disappointed as the fans, maybe more, because this was my first chance to defend the undisputed title. The way I am, I would have beaten Tim Tszyu with one hand, but the doctors and the boxing commission won’t allow that. It’s even more dangerous when a lion faces adversity, and has to come back to defend the pride. I’ve been training since July (2022), and I’ve been hitting harder than ever, and these are the things that happen when you push yourself to the limits. After my hand heals, I’m coming back stronger than ever to defend my legacy.”
Tszyu, 21-0 with 15 knockouts, Rockdale, New South Wales, Australia, last fought in March 2022 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, coming off the deck to score a 12-round unanimous decision win over Terrell Gaucha in a WOB regional title bout. “I’m very disappointed. I felt like the stars aligned for undisputed (for me to win the undisputed 154 pounds title) but we move on. I’m ready to take on the next mandatory challenger (in the meanwhile in early 2023). I’ll be back for Charlo (for our undisputed super welterweight world title bout once he is ready and healed.”
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