The highly anticipated WBA super welterweight interim world title showdown between former WBO champion Tim Tszyu and knockout perfectionist Vergil Ortiz — scheduled for Saturday, August 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California (Sunday, August 4 in Australia) - has been cancelled with medical advice provided to Tszyu requiring him to take additional time for his head wound to heal.
“We are bitterly disappointed with the set back and Tim is extremely frustrated after a great pre-camp with Kostya," No Limit CEO George Rose said.
"He showed everyone that he’ll fight through anything against Fundora but this decision was taken out of his hands, to be honest.
"Ultimately, it was his body and medical professionals telling him he wasn’t ready yet.”
MORE TO COME
EARLIER: Tim Tszyu could potentially get first crack at a superfight with Terence Crawford if he can get by Vergil Ortiz in Los Angeles on August 3.
A WBA announcement confirmed the interim super welterweight title would be on the line when the Aussie faces off with the hard-hitting knockout artist on a card headlined by Crawford's 154-pound debut, against WBA champion Israil Madrimov.
Significantly, the sanctioning body also announced that the Tszyu-Ortiz winner would become the mandatory challenger to the WBA title, which will be held by the Crawford-Madrimov victor.
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Additionally, the WBA confirmed Jermell Charlo, as "champion in recess" could demand the shot first if he chooses to.
Tszyu's fight taking place is contingent on Ortiz getting through unscathed when he faces Puerto Rican two-time world title challenger Thomas Dulorme this weekend.
The August 3 fights were confirmed on Wednesday in the US in connection with Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Season, marking Turki Alalshikh's first foray into the American market, having recently swept the boxing world with blockbuster events in the Middle East.
Having been undisputed at super lightweight and welterweight, pound-for-pound superstar Crawford has now turned his attention to the 154-lb division.
Tszyu was thought to be in the mix to welcome "Bud" to super welterweight but the 29-year-old Sydneysider suffered a split-decision defeat to Sebastian Fundora last month, having to deal with blood in his eyes for 30 minutes following a cut caused by an accidental elbow at the end of the second round.
With Fundora sidelined following surgery on his nose, Tszyu is maintaining his reputation as one the sport's gamest fighters, taking on the undefeated Texan who has stopped all 20 of his previous opponents.
While the WBA has requested the winner fight Crawford or Madrimov, a WBO order could complicate matters.
Earlier in the week, they ordered Fundora, who now holds the WBO and WBC titles, to face the Crawford-Madrimov winner before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Serhii Bohachuk currently holds the interim WBC belt at super welterweight, having defeated Brian Mendoza last month, and the Ukrainian will no doubt be keen to fight for the full title at some point as well.
With the division going through a significant period of change at the moment, the bouts on August 3 will have a major bearing on which direction the 154-pounders go from here.