Hogan next target as Tszyu eyes title shot

·3-min read

Tim Tszyu thinks the United States is still sleeping on his talent but that could all change as the super welterweight contender eyes the prospect of fighting for all four world title belts later this year.

The 26-year-old son of former boxing great Kostya will meet Brisbane-based Irishman Dennis Hogan next Wednesday in Newcastle.

Both camps expect the fight to earn mandatory challenge status with the WBO, who already regard Tszyu as the No.1 contender for the belt currently held by Argentina's Brian Castano.

Castano beat Patrick Teixeira in Februrary in a result that scuppered Tszyu's hopes of an earlier world title shot that appeared on the cards after his round-one knockout of Bowyn Morgan in December's world title eliminator.

The Argentinian is now keen to unify the belt by facing American Jermell Charlo, who boasts the WBA, WBC and IBF straps.

If that fight goes ahead, Tszyu or the 36-year-old Hogan could find themselves fighting the victor for all four belts as early as July in a mega-fight at Suncorp Stadium.

"I'm in No.1 position, so once we're mandatory they've got nowhere to run," Tszyu told AAP.

"I think I have the potential to become and stay the world champion so give me the opportunity, let me prove it.

"They're not (taking me seriously in the United States) and that's the best thing about it; I'm under the radar at the moment but we're doing things here in Australia and when we do get there we're going to come with a bang."

A mooted fight at Suncorp Stadium would be commercially attractive given the precedent set by Jeff Horn when he upset Manny Pacquiao in front of 50,000 fans in Brisbane four years ago.

Time zone issues and any COVID-19 quarantines could be potential stumbling blocks but Tszyu's manager Glen Jennings, who also managed Kostya, can see a way through.

"We've reached that level now in boxing where there's so many arms and legs involved, but this is a reality, it's there, it's that f***ing close," he told AAP.

"He's a standout, so it's in the WBO's best interests to see him in substantial, meaningful fights and all his fights now need to be at that highest level."

Explaining that he wasn't in great condition ahead of his loss to Tszyu last August, Horn has declared he still had plenty to prove against Hogan, who lost a world title fight to Charlo's twin brother Jermell in 2019.

"They said before the fight he (Horn) was in the best shape of his career, had had the best sleep of his life," Tszyu said.

"When you've got an opponent you're able to dominate, bully and suck the life out you're going to look good until you have an opponent who does that exact same thing to you."

"And Dennis, he's going for his fourth chance now and no disrespect but time's running out, this is a young man's sport."