American boxing great Shawn Porter has sensationally called for Jermell Charlo to be stripped of his world titles, saying he would never agree to fight Australian superstar Tim Tszyu at super middleweight.
A two-time welterweight world champion himself, Porter flew to the Gold Coast to take part in coverage of Sunday’s WBO world title blockbuster between Tszyu and Brian Mendoza.
It was only a fortnight ago that Tszyu was handed the WBO crown – with officials stripping Charlo naked as he entered the ring for his super-fight with Canelo Alvarez.
Asked by Fox Sports Australia if the big, talking Texan, who hasn’t fought at super welterweight in over a year, should now be stripped of his other three straps, Porter replied: “I thought he was bare.
Boxing: Tszyu vs Mendoza SUNDAY OCT 15 12pm AEDT | Order now with the Main Event on Kayo Sports
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“That’s what I feel.
“I think if you’re moving, especially two weight classes out of your range, if you haven’t fought in over a year at that weight, why does he have belts?
“I didn’t know he had belts.
“I don’t want to… I’m not talking about belts because as you can see, they’re bulls…”
Porter also revealed that he told No Limit promoters Matt and George Rose that Tszyu would never have the opportunity to unify the division against Charlo, whose next move is still unknown.
“I told the guys at No Limit there’s a fight that they wouldn’t see Jermell Charlo in the ring,” he said.
“They will never see Jermell Charlo in the ring.
“I think if Tim was going to pursue it, he should pursue it up to 160 (middleweight).
“As bad as Jermell’s performance was in his last fight, it doesn’t seem like he has any intention of fighting again.
“But when you fight this bad, you have to come back to erase everyone’s memory.
“So it’s really hard to say what Jermell is going to do in the future, but 154 is not it, I’ll say that.”
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Elsewhere, Porter has faith in Tszyu to win Sunday’s world title fight, and even suggested that Mendoza, who has kayoed his last three opponents, now needs to do the same to win.
However, the American was quick to add that his compatriot had a chance against Australia’s undefeated superstar, especially given the way “La Balla” appeared on the scales during Saturday’s weigh-in.
“Who has seen Brian Mendoza’s muscles? » Porter then asked reporters.
“He has muscles.
“And Tim didn’t.” Or not as much.
“So initially I thought it was 60/40 for Tim.
“But now I think it’s 55/45.
“It is going to be difficult.
“I think Tim is going to control the action, control the ring in a way, and I think Brian is going to wait a while.
“But I don’t know if that time will come.
“Brian still has a few tricks up his sleeve.
“It’s not going to be a two-round situation anyway.
“Brian is smart, super brave…he may not have the style that will impress the judges for 12 rounds, but he has the style that will keep him in the fight for 12 rounds.”
So he has to eliminate Tszyu to win?
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“Yeah, I think so,” Porter continued.
“You never know what the judges are watching sometimes, but you have to take into account that the judges who are there on Sunday will be judges who I’m sure will have seen Tim before.
“And their minds are trained to see Tim.
“You’re not really trained to see the two guys.
“You just look at it from one side.
“And I’m not picking on the judges or anything.
“I am just saying the truth.
“When we see decisions that are wrong, when we see a judge who was wrong, sometimes that judge is a little obsessed with what he expected to see as opposed to what is actually there.
“What I expect to see is Brian Mendoza bouncing, moving, trying to keep Tim off balance and finding moments.
“But I really don’t see Tim giving a lot of moments.
“And when you look at that and Tim’s aggression, I think he could possibly connect a little bit more.
“And if that happens, I think Brian will need a knockout to win this fight.”
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Speaking to Fox Sports Australia at the start of fight week, Rose revealed that No Limit would not wait for Charlo to be available and would instead pursue the biggest names in the sport – citing Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jnr and even Alvarez.
Asked if Tszyu could potentially move up to middleweight next year, Porter said he should stay at super welterweight, solidify himself and “take over.”
“To be as busy as Tim is, it’s borderline unbelievable,” he said.
“And on top of that, he really played.
“But I think he still has work to do.
“So while choosing my words carefully, I have to be frank – Tim needs to be safe.
“And it doesn’t get safer the higher you go.”
“54 doesn’t have the same challenges as 60.”
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Porter also suggested that Sunday’s headliner would be the fight that sees Tszyu truly become a name in the United States.
“I think it’s the one, I really do,” he said.
“It’s his third fight this year and when you’re this active, no one can ignore you.
“On top of that, Brian’s latest performance means he now has a pretty hot name too.
“So that’s the performance that solidifies Tim at 154.”
“But it’s going to be difficult.
“All Brian has to do is touch you.”
“If he touches you, sees that he is hurting you, he gains confidence and then he will attack you.
“But if he doesn’t touch you like that, he won’t come after you and the fight goes as it should.”
Porter was also asked if he thinks Terence Crawford could face and beat Canelo Alvarez in a superfight in 2024?
“If Terence wants to do it, he’ll do it,” Porter said. “I would bet on Crawford to win this fight.”
