Tim Tszyu had his heart set on facing Jermell Charlo. The Aussie native did all of the needed leg work, including a ninth-round stoppage win over Tony Harrison followed by a first-round destruction of Carlos Ocampo.  

WBO interim title in one hand and deleterious knockout power in another, Tszyu (23-0, 17 KOs) demanded his shot at the undisputed titlist. But just when it seemed as though the two would finally be getting it on, Canelo Alvarez snatched away the biggest fight of Tszyu’s young career.

Officially, Charlo will move up 14 pounds and two weight divisions when he takes on Alvarez on September 30th.

Vexed by what took place, Tszyu was somewhat placated. According to the WBO sanctioning body, the moment the opening bell rings - Charlo will be immediately stripped and Tszyu will be elevated to full champion. Although it didn’t happen the way he was hoping, Tszyu will take what he can get.

With his first title reign on the verge of taking place, Tszyu isn’t putting Charlo, or Alvarez for that matter, behind him. Whether their showdown goes the full 12 rounds or someone scores a dramatic knockout win, Tszyu will be banging on the winner's door.

“Hopefully we can get the winner of Canelo vs. Charlo,” Tszyu told Fight Hub TV. “I feel like that’s a big fight to be made.”

If Alvarez comes out on top, Tszyu could be in a position where he’ll have to make the same jump Charlo is making. Realistically, the soon-to-be-champ knows good and well that Alvarez will dictate practically every term in negotiations. From the weight down to the location and gloves, Alvarez will be in full control. And while that may annoy some, the amount of respect Tszyu has for the undisputed super middleweight champ far exceeds his ego.

“He’s a legend."

Before he can think about Canelo or Charlo, Tszyu will first return on October 15 in Australia when he faces Brian Mendoza in a high-stakes fight.

“I feel like this is the build-up to the Canelo-Charlo winner. Something like that gives me goosebumps. It’s giving me goosebumps now. That’s what you dream as a child," Tszyu told Main Event.

“I could be sitting on the sidelines waiting for the other cat (Charlo) but I’m not. A name like Canelo in the future as a possible fight, that’s something I always dreamt about.”

“In all honesty, for me the Mendoza fight is a pathway to the winner of Charlo-Canelo. And I see that as a Canelo win. Hopefully, fingers crossed, something like that can happen. But if the Charlo fight presents itself, beautiful. That’s the name I want.”