The full fight card for Tim Tszyu’s next blockbuster has dropped – and it’s loaded with Aussie talent.
Tszyu will headline the Easter Sunday card against unbeaten Albanian Denis Nurja, with the former world champion building towards a clash with American superstar Errol Spence Jr. later this year.
The showdown is scheduled for the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong on April 5, where Tszyu will once again fight in front of a home crowd.
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But the stacked No Limit undercard unveiled this morning ensures the show will be about much more than just the main event.
One of the biggest talking points is a heavyweight showdown between ex-NRL hardmen, with former Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona set to square off against former Origin forward Jarrod Wallace.
Asofa-Solomona made headlines with a brutal knockout in his pro boxing debut against Jeremy Latimore and now steps back through the ropes against Wallace in what looms as a potential barnburner.
It will be a revenge mission for Wallace, who lost an exhibition bout to ‘Big Nasty’ in 2023.
“This is going to be very entertaining,” said promoter George Rose.
“Nelson showed that he is the entertainer, he is the showman and he does have that power but he’s still very raw.
“There are still question marks around what he can do, but he has shown he’s got the power.”
“He (Wallace) has been reaching out, he has been making a bit of noise about it. One thing that he has been reaching out about is the fact he wanted to fight him for three-minute rounds.
“He thinks he’s got a bigger gas tank than Nelson. He thinks he showed that on the football field and he thinks in three-minute rounds he can get the job done.”
Wallace told Fox Sports Australia earlier in the year that Nelson is “beatable”.
Pushed on why he should be granted a rematch, Wallace said: “Right now, there is nobody else who wants to fight the bloke.
“And I have no idea why.
“Yeah, he’s a big man. A strong boxer.
“But Nelson really is beatable.”
What about that right hand?
“Honestly, his power doesn’t worry me,” the 34-year-old continued.
“I’ve been hit by him before.
“And take nothing away, he’s a big strong fighter who got me with an uppercut that first time we fought.
“But I also got up.
“I’ve got a strong jaw.
“And I just know that if given a second go at him, it will be a lot different to our first fight.”
Also on the bill is one of Australia’s very best boxers, with Super Bantamweight Sam Goodman set to face Rodrigo Ruiz in a world title eliminator.
For Goodman, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Victory over Ruiz would push the local hero to the brink of a world title shot later this year.
Goodman went very close to shocking the world in 2025 in his fight with former WBA featherweight champ Nick Ball in Saudi Arabia, but eventually went down on points.
The event will also showcase several rising Australian talents, including Olympian Callum Peters and light heavyweight star Paulo Aokuso, rounding out what will be an exciting night.
Tszyu told Fox Sports Australia last week that he can’t wait to get back in the ring.
Tszyu says he’s been eager for this fight to happen sooner.
“It’s been sometime in the making,” Tszyu grinned.
“I’ve been bugging the boys about the date and who I’m fighting. But finally, I’m glad they got it all done and I’m blessed to be in this position. I feel better than ever.”
Asked about Nurja, Tszyu made it clear he’s not taking his opponent lightly.
“He presents a challenge,” said Tszyu.
Why is Tim Tszyu taking this fight?! | 02:00
“Big amateur pedigree. Eight national titles. He’s fought at the world championships – IBA level.
“He’s been in there and mixed it with a lot of great fighters, so I’m motivated, inspired and focused.”
MAIN CARD
Tim Tszyu (26-3, 18 KOs) vs Denis Nurja (20-0, 9 KOs) for the WBO International Middleweight Title – 157lb Catchweight
Sam Goodman (21-1, 8 KOs) vs Rodrigo Ruiz (23-1, 17 KOs) for the IBF Super Bantamweight World Title Eliminator
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (1-0, 1 KO) vs Jarrod Wallace (Professional Debut) at Heavyweight
Callum Peters (5-0, 5 KOs) vs Delio Anzaqeci Mouzinho (4-0, 4 KOs) at Middleweight
Ahmad Reda (8-0, 6 KOs) vs Jomar Paliwen (7-2-2, 5 KOs) at Lightweight
Charlie Kazzi (9-0, 4 KOs) vs Blair Geraghty (5-0, 5 KOs) at Super Lightweight
Max Reeves (12-1-1, 8 KOs) vs Francis Waitai (13-3-1, 1 KO) at Super Middleweight for the WBO Oriental Super Middleweight Title
Paulo Aokuso (9-0, 4 KOs) vs Kittipong Jian Hao Ho (13-1-1, 12 KOs) for the IBF Pan Pacific Light Heavyweight Title
Dharringarra Trewhella (7-0, 4 KOs) vs Dominic Bailey (4-1, 2 KOs)