Lara carries a five-year reign and a chin no professional opponent has cracked into Australia.
Tim Tszyu punched his ticket to a home-country title shot by outpointing Errol Spence Jr in July. He now hunts a championship in a second division, although promoters have not announced the date, city, venue or broadcaster.
Tszyu committed to 160 pounds after defeating Spence by unanimous decision in Sydney. The victory extended his winning streak to three fights and lifted his record to 28-3 with 18 knockouts.
“At 160 I feel strong, I feel sharp and I feel dangerous. Middleweight is my division now. Spence was just the appetiser,” Tszyu said in the official announcement.
Erislandy Lara blocks his path.
The Cuban southpaw brings a 32-3-3 record with 19 knockouts and has avoided a stoppage loss throughout his professional career. He seized the WBA “Regular” middleweight belt in 2021 before the organization elevated him to full champion in 2023.
Lara previously captured WBA championships at super welterweight, arming him with years of experience against elite opposition across two divisions.
Tszyu Chases a Second-Division Championship
Victory would crown Tszyu at both 154 and 160 pounds. It would also make him the first member of the Tszyu family to capture world titles in two weight classes.
Kostya Tszyu conquered the junior welterweight division and unified every major championship at 140 pounds. Tim can now carve out an achievement his Hall of Fame father never claimed.
“I’ve carried the Tszyu name my whole life. It’s a privilege and it’s pressure. This is my chance to write a chapter that belongs to me, and it’s the legacy defining moment of my career,” Tszyu said.
Jeff Fenech will command Tszyu’s corner after joining his team in April 2026. Fenech took charge before the Spence fight and sharpened Tszyu’s attack through controlled pressure, tighter entries and punishing body work.
Lara Sets a Southpaw Trap
Tszyu cannot storm through Lara’s firing line.
Lara measures distance with his lead hand, circles outside an orthodox opponent’s front foot and spears the left cross through the guard. His patience punishes reckless pressure and forces challengers to pay for every careless entry.
Tszyu must cut off the ring behind his jab, hammer Lara’s ribs and drag the champion into close-range exchanges. He must also protect his chin when he steps inside against Lara’s straight left and counter right hook.
The Spence victory earned Tszyu another championship crack. Dethroning Lara will require sharper entries, disciplined pressure and the patience to keep stalking when the champion circles away.
Promoters No Limit Boxing plan to release the date, host city, venue, ticket information and broadcast details in the coming weeks.
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