No Limit CEO George Rose, who promotes undefeated Australian star Tim Tszyu, does not blame Jermell Charlo for accepting a highly lucrative opportunity to face Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Tszyu’s is the WBO’s mandatory challenger to Charlo, who holds the undisputed crown at junior middleweight.
It was announced last week the Charlo would move up by two weight divisions to challenge Canelo for the undisputed championship at super middleweight.
The fight is scheduled to headline a Showtime Pay-Per-View card on September 30th in Las Vegas. The WBO ordered Charlo to make his mandatory defense against Tszyu, who holds the interim-title, by September 30.
Tszyu had been set to fight Charlo earlier this year, but the fight was called off when Charlo withdrew with a hand injury.
“Look the WBO has been terrific with us and really pushed for this fight with Charlo to happen. So I’ll be interested to see what the outcome is [with the WBO’s position]. But as far as Tim is concerned, it’s all about moving on to a plan that eventually sees him with that WBO belt wrapped around his waist,” Rose said to Fox Sports Australia.
“[My reaction to the Canelo-Charlo news was the] same as the rest of us: ‘F…’. Initially, that’s what it was. Obviously everyone is disappointed because we’ve all been hanging out for this fight for two years. And Tim, he’s primed to beat Charlo. All the work he’s done, the fights he has taken recently, it has all been building towards Tim Tszyu walking away with those four belts at the end of the year.
“But I also understand Charlo’s decision. And put in the same position, I think everyone choses the Canelo fight. Because it’s an iconic fight; and the biggest money fight. It’s a chance for Charlo to make history, change his life. And what’s his alternative? Go and lose all four belts against Tim Tszyu.”