Tim Tszyu is set to be sensationally stripped of the WBO super welterweight title if he loses to American superstar Keith Thurman in Las Vegas this month – yet has also just firmed, should he win, for a hyped showdown against the world’s greatest fighter.

Speaking with Main Event’s Ben Damon on Friday morning, Thurman revealed 29-year-old Tszyu will be forced to give up his WBO championship strap if he loses later this month.

The shock decision comes only days after WBO president Paco Valcarcel also hinted that, with a win, Australia’s undefeated boxing poster boy could also be catapulted into a huge fight against undisputed welterweight king Terence Crawford.

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While Tszyu is not putting his WBO belt on the line against Thurman, the new ruling appears to suggest the organisation wants Crawford in a title fight against whoever triumphs in their showdown at T Mobile Arena on Sunday, March 31 (AEST).

Given Thurman is coming up from welterweight, and has been out of the ring two years, it was decided Tszyu would not be defending his belt in their upcoming bout.

But given Thurman once ruled over the welterweight division himself, and has never lost to anyone not named Manny Pacquiao, there would also be strong interest in a title fight between himself and ‘Bud’ Crawford.

Certainly the announcement means Tszyu’s Las Vegas debut has now got even bigger as he looks to continue an undefeated tear stretching eight years, 24 fights and an outstanding 2023 – where he dominated Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza.

Taking to Twitter on Friday morning, Damon wrote: “The WBO has raised the stakes for Tim Tszyu v Keith Thurman with the decision that Tszyu will be stripped of his world title if he loses the 155lb non-title fight with Thurman”.

Apart from bringing even higher stakes to the Las Vegas showdown, it also suggests the winner is firming for a headliner against world boxing’s pound-for-pound No.1.

Under WBO rules, 36-year-old Crawford, as their welterweight champion, will become mandatory for whoever holds the belt one weight class up if he chooses to go after it.

Earlier this week, WBO president Valcarcel suggested talks about the undisputed welterweight king doing exactly that were imminent.

Already, Crawford holds the WBC, WBA and WBO welterweight titles, and had initially been chasing a rematch with Errol Spence Jnr or, potentially, a superfight with fellow star Canelo Alvarez.

Yet speaking with Fox Sports Australia in Las Vegas only last fortnight, Tszyu also confirmed Crawford was a chance to be next for him, revealing talks between the two camps were already underway.

“There have been talks between us,” he said.

“And I give Crawford all respect. He’ll fight anyone.

“And that’s why I see him as such a great challenge.

“But I also see him as being beatable.

“But there’s a lot going on (regarding who could be next).

“It could be Crawford, Errol Spence, whichever one is easiest to make.

“That’s why this upcoming fight means so much … I win and the possibilities are endless.”

In an interview with FightHype this week, Valcarcel saying of the Tszyu/Thurman headliner: “The winner of that fight will have a tough cookie for his next mandatory, let me tell you.

“Crawford will be here next week.

“We’re going to talk about that fight.

“I’m not authorised to tell (more, but) he love to fight at 154.

“But I’m not authorised to make it public.

“I have been talking to Crawford for long now … he’ll be in Puerto Rico on Friday. You are the first person I’ve talked to about the possibility of Crawford moving to 154”.

While Crawford could stay at 147pds and face IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis – a fight which would attract huge attention in the US – he is keener, apparently, to move up and earn a fourth division world title.

Back in January, Team Crawford trainer Bernie Davis declared Tszyu “the most attractive” option for his fighter – following three big wins last year against Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza.

Initially, the US superstar had seemed headed for a rematch with Errol Spence – who has since required cataract surgery, scuppering those plans.

There have also been talks around Crawford fighting a host of other big names including Canelo, Ennis, Devin Haney, Jermell Charlo and Teofimo Lopez.