Tim Tszyu Strikes to No. 2 in WBO Rankings After December Win

The rating follows Tszyu’s December 17 win in Sydney, a 10-round unanimous resolution over Anthony Velazquez. It was not an announcement efficiency, but it surely was regular, managed, and freed from drama. That alone carried worth after a troublesome stretch through which Tszyu dropped three of 5 fights and noticed his popularity take actual put on.

Losses to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev uncovered limits in his strategy, notably when opponents refused to commerce and as a substitute labored round his stress with self-discipline.

The WBO’s resolution to maneuver Tszyu up so shortly additionally reshuffles acquainted names. He now sits forward of Keith Thurman and Israil Madrimov, fighters with latest credibility however much less instant positioning. The rating locations Tszyu nearer to a attainable shot at unified WBA and WBO champion Xander Zayas, a matchup that might take a look at extra than simply sturdiness.

Zayas has proven in latest outings that he’s snug slowing fights down, leaning on motion, clinching, and small positional wins, as seen in opposition to Abass Baraou and Jorge Garcia Perez. These are the kinds of fights Tszyu has struggled to drive onto his personal phrases.

None of this ensures Tszyu a title alternative. His placement assumes continued wins and cautious matchmaking. His staff will should be selective, notably with opponents who replicate the identical issues he has already confronted.

A fast rematch with somebody like Murtazaliev, contemporary off a loss however nonetheless stylistically awkward, would danger undoing the progress his rating suggests.

That placement does stand out. Tszyu now sits above Murtazaliev regardless of having been stopped by him not way back. The reason seems to relaxation much less on Tszyu’s resurgence than on how Murtazaliev seemed in defeat to Josh Kelly. It was a subdued displaying, missing the sharpness or management that often retains a fighter close to the highest after a loss.

Rankings usually mirror latest impressions as a lot as previous outcomes, and on this case, the WBO appears to have leaned closely on the latest tape.

For Tszyu, the trail ahead is clearer than the vacation spot. He’s shut sufficient to matter once more, however not insulated. The rating provides him room to rebuild, not permission to stumble.