Tim Tszyu banished by Turki Alalshikh, who declares he will not work with the Australian fighter
Tim Tszyu won't be joining boxing's newfound attraction, the Riyadh Season events organized by Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority for Saudi Arabia. With a seemingly infinite budget, Alalshikh has been able to organize some of boxing's biggest clashes, including Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk.
The Saudi Arabian adviser has thrust himself firmly into the fray of boxing's chaotic matchmaking and has been able to deliver fights that fans want to see by satisfying all parties involved financially.
But at his most recent event, a WBC interim super welterweight clash between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Serhii Bohachuk, Alalshikh declared that he had no interest in working with Tszyu, who was in attendance for the clash.
'The Soul Taker' last faced Sebastian Fundora, with the pair going to war for the vacant WBC super welterweight title as well as the WBO title, previously held by the Australian.
With Alalshikh having declared he wanted Ortiz Jr. to face Terence Crawford next, he was asked who he would like Tszyu to fight, and said this:
"I will not work with Tim Tszyu. Let him [go] in his way. He doesn't understand."
Watch Turki Alalshikh's interview below (2:00):
Tim Tszyu wants Vergil Ortiz Jr. following interim title win
Boxing's super welterweight division is currently filled with exciting fighters, including Tim Tszyu, Terence Crawford, Vergil Ortiz Jr., and Israil Madrimov.
Crawford secured the WBA title against Madrimov in his debut at 154 pounds, and after declaring his ambition to become the undisputed super welterweight champion, will be looking to fight another divisional champion next.
Sebastian Fundora currently holds the WBC and WBO titles, which he won against Tszyu in a brutal battle. 'Bud' may be looking to face Fundora next, whilst the Australian has locked onto his next target, a clash with interim WBC champion Ortiz Jr.
The Texas native defeated Serhii Bohachuk via majority decision after a competitive clash on 10 Aug., with 'The Chosen One' in the crowd. Following the fight, the 29-year-old was interviewed by Fight Hub TV, where he was asked if he'd be interested in facing Ortiz Jr.
He said this:
"Yeah for sure [I want that fight], they put on a hell of a show. This was [Ortiz Jr.'s] first proper fight at 154 [pounds]. That was his first [fight at] 154, it's a different club at 154."
Watch Tim Tszyu's interview below (0:25):