The ranking follows Tszyu’s Dec. 17 win in Sydney, a 10-round unanimous decision over Anthony Velazquez. It wasn’t a showy show, but it was stable, controlled, and understated. That only gained importance after a difficult stretch in which Tszyu dropped three out of five fights and saw his famous name worn for real.
The loss to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev showed the limits of his approach, especially when the opponents refused to trade and instead cooperated with discipline.
The WBO’s decision to immediately promote Tszyu has also changed familiar names. He now sits in front of Keith Thurman and Israil Madrimov, fighters who have been loyal lately but less established quickly. The ranking puts Tszyu closer to a possible shot at WBA and WBO champion Xander Zayas, a matchup that is more than sustainable.
Zayas has shown in recent outings that he is comfortable with slow fights, relying on movement, submissions, and small victories, as seen against Abass Baraou and Jorge Garcia Perez. Those are the kinds of fights Tszyu struggled to make on his own terms.
None of this gives Tszyu a chance to score. Its structure is such that it continues to win and the match is careful. His team will have to decide, especially with opponents who represent the same problems he has already faced.
An early rematch with someone like Murtazaliev, fresh from a loss but still reeling, would risk ruining the progress his form suggests.
That situation is unique. Tszyu now sits above Murtazaliev despite being held off by him not too long ago. The comment seems to be less on Tszyu’s resurgence than how Murtazaliev looked in the loss to Josh Kelly. A subdued display, lacking sharpness or control often leaves a fighter near the top when it’s over.
Rankings often reflect recent information such as past results, and in this case, the WBO seems to have leaned heavily on the latest tape.
For Tszyu, the path forward is clearer than the destination. He is close enough to be important again, but not something to defend. Classification gives him the opportunity to rebuild, not to allow him to stumble.