GOLD COAST, Australia -- Tim Tszyu sent an ominous warning to Jermell Charlo, flooring his latest challenger Carlos Ocampo in just 77 seconds to likely set up a blockbuster fight against the American star for the undisputed light middleweight championship.
The Australian wasted little time in his maiden world title defence, coming out swinging from the opening bell at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tszyu landed 10 of 20 power punches -- mostly to Ocampo's head -- and knocked the Mexican down twice; first with a precise right hook and again with a devastating left hook, to leave referee Danrex Tapdasan no choice but to end the contest.
"I knew he was going to be easier to hit, but I knew he's a warrior and can take the shots. I didn't think it would happen that early, in all honesty," said Tszyu. "You don't get paid overtime in this sport."
Tszyu's fastest knockout and fourth first-round win of his career sees him improve to 23-0 (17 KOs). He is now expected to fight Charlo in Las Vegas for the American's quartet of belts at 154-pounds by no later than Sep. 30 this year, per the WBO's recent mandate.
"I'm definitely top dog, just under him. He's the man, I'll give him that, and I'm just under," Tszyu said of Charlo. "I've got this interim belt, but I'm not satisfied. I want all four. It's not just the belts, I want the name Charlo on my wrist. So get your tickets, plan all your holidays, because we're coming back with four belts."
When asked if he had a specific message for Charlo, Tszyu said: "I did it quicker than your boy [Errol Spence Jr.], man. So come on, let's dance. No disrespect."
Tszyu's promoter and No Limit Boxing boss George Rose revealed discussions for an upcoming fight are already underway with Charlo's camp.
"Conversations have already been happening leading up to this fight so it's the next goal. All roads lead to Charlo," said Rose. "September 30 was the deadline set by the WBO, that works in with Team Tszyu, especially after how we finished [the Ocampo] fight. I don't think there's going to be much layoff time needed. We'll just push for a date to be locked in and announced soon enough."
It's not the first time Tszyu has put himself in a position to fight Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs). The pair had agreed to square off earlier in the year; however, it was indefinitely postponed after Charlo broke his left hand in two places at the back end of his training camp.
Instead of waiting for Charlo to recover, Tszyu opted to stay active. He first fought and beat Tony Harrison in March to claim the WBO interim super-welterweight title before stepping into the ring again and defending his belt against Ocampo in dominant fashion.
Earlier in the card, Australian Sam Goodman claimed the super bantamweight world title eliminator against American Ra'eese Aleem by split decision (116-112, 117-111, 112-116), improving to 15-0 in his career.