Stakes raised in Vegas for Tim Tszyu who will have to surrender his world title belt if he loses to Keith Thurman – even though it’s a non-title bout

Australian boxer Tim Tszyu will be stripped of the WBO super welterweight title if he loses to American star Keith Thurman in Las Vegas this month, although it is not an official title fight.

The good thing for Tszyu is that if he wins, a dream fight against the undisputed welterweight king, Terence Crawford, will likely follow.

Tszyu (24-0) was awarded the WBO title in 2023 after former champion Jermell Charlo was stripped of the belt, before the Australian defeated Brian Castano to retain it in October.

Main event host and boxing identity Ben Damon tweeted the development involving Thurman on Friday.

“The WBO has raised the stakes,” Damon said. “With the decision that Tszyu will be stripped of his world title if he loses the non-title 155 (pound) fight with Thurman.”

WBO president Paco Valcárcel is understood to be happy for Tszyu to fight Crawford if he wins on March 31 in Sin City (AEST), but he also knows that a possible duel between Thurman and ‘Bud’ Crawford would attract many boxing fans.

This spectacular development also makes Tszyu’s Las Vegas debut even bigger as he looks to extend his undefeated career record spanning more than eight years.

In 2023, he won many fans after beating Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Mendoza.

Thurman (30-1-1) has fought just once in the last four years, ruling him out of title contention, but his fearsome reputation ensures he still looms as one of the biggest threats to Tszyu’s impressive record.

In January, Team Crawford coach Bernie Davis called Tszyu “the most attractive option” for his fighter, an indication that Kostya Tszyu’s son is impressing the people who matter in the sport.

Tszyu also recently confirmed that talks between his camp and Crawford’s have already begun.

“There have been conversations between us,” he told Fox Sports. And I give all the respect to Crawford. He will fight anyone.

“And that’s why I see it as a big challenge… but I also see it as something beatable.”