After a couple of false starts, Australian super-welterweight Tim Tszyu finally looked like getting a fight with undisputed champion Jermell Charlo.
That was until the boxing world was left stunned when it was revealed Charlo would be moving up two weight classes to challenge undisputed super-middleweight king Canelo Alvarez.
Canelo vs. Charlo came as a shock as it was WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, Jermell's twin brother, who was reported to be in negotiations for a bout with the Mexican superstar.
MORE: Why Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo undisputed September clash 'doesn't sit right'
While frustrating for Tszyu, very few boxers on the planet would turn down the more lucrative offer and a chance to fight Canelo.
But what does it mean for Tszyu?
What does Jermell Charlo vs. Canelo Alvarez mean for Tim Tszyu?
Tszyu won the interim WBO super-welterweight title when he knocked Tony Harrison out in the ninth round in Sydney back in March.
The Aussie was hoping to upgrade his belt in a meeting with Charlo but the American's fight with Canelo has most likely put paid to those plans.
It remains to be seen what becomes of the WBO championship, but there are a limited number of potential outcomes.
Now 33, it's unlikely we see Charlo return to 154-pounds after he jumps up to super-middleweight to take on Canelo.
That fight is already being billed as undisputed vs. undisputed, so, in true boxing style, Charlo may just avoid being stripped of his titles until after the reported date of September 30.
Comments from WBO president Francisco "Paco" Valcarcel suggest that as the probable route.
Via ESPN, Valcarcel posited Charlo could enter "the ring [vs. Alvarez] as the champion, but then right there he is not the champion [at 154-lb] anymore. If we strip Jermell of his title, Tim Tszyu becomes the full champion."
The other alternative is the WBO title becomes vacant and Tszyu fights someone else for the strap, although, judging by Valcarcel's comments, that looks unlikely.
Tim Tszyu's next fight
Tszyu has been mandatory challenger for the WBO title since August 2021.
In that time, he's claimed one-sided decision wins over Takeshi Inoue, Terrell Gausha, before stopping Harrison and, most recently, a 77-second demolition job of Carlos Ocampo last month.
In May 2022, the WBO title changed hands when Charlo unified the division by knocking Brian Castano out in the 10th round of their rematch.
Tszyu and Charlo were originally slated to meet in January this year before a broken hand forced the American to withdraw.
Rather than wait around, Tszyu faced Harrison, where he won the interim title, ahead of what was to be a meeting with Charlo in the US summer.
When Charlo requested more time, Tszyu again got busy, blasting through Ocampo this time.
Now what for the undefeated 28-year-old?
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the Charlo fight, Tszyu has wasted no time getting back in the gym and, according to his team, they're still looking at two more fights before the year is out.
Assuming he gets promoted to full champion with the WBO, there will be no shortage of challengers for his title.
Russia's Bakhram Murtazaliev is the WBO's number one contender, but he also holds that position with the IBF and may see that as the easier route to a world championship.
No. 2 in the WBO, Englishman Josh Kelly, has a fight lined up in a couple weeks which could cement his status as a challenger.
If Tszyu wants to set about unifying the division like his legendary father Kostya did at 140-lb, he could go after Brian Mendoza, currently interim champ with the WBC, although a rematch with Sebastian Fundora isn't off the cards.
Alternatively, an all-Australian clash with long-time rival Michael Zerafa remains an option should Tszyu wish to move up to middleweight.
