Australia’s Tim Tszyu is back, and in every sense.
Only days after Tszyu’s upset win over American superstar Errol Spence Jnr, the 31-year-old is already being discussed for a host of potential blockbusters next up – with the early clubhouse leaders being longtime US favourite Jermell Charlo and WBA middleweight champ Erislandy Lara.
However, Fox Sports Australia understands Tszyu’s promoter No Limit have also been in discussions about potentially landing ‘The Phoenix’ a huge Ashes battle against Great Britain’s Denzel Bently, the new WBO middleweight champion.
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Another whisper is a bout between Tszyu and Puerto Rican superstar Xander Zayas in New York — potentially at Madison Square Garden.
There has also been talk over the past 48 hours about other potential contenders including not only American great Keith Thurman, but the two men currently holding WBC middleweight gold — Carlos Adames and Jesus Ramos.
While No Limit are keen to bring another blockbuster Down Under, all of those fights could also potentially take place in the United States.
In fact, should the Zayas fight materialise, there would be a strong chance of it taking place in New York.
Of his past six fights, the former WBO super welterweight champ has fought in New York five times, including four at ‘The Garden’.
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While Tszyu is not yet ranked at middleweight, that could quickly change in coming days, and after a couple of conversations — especially given his win over Spence took place at 160 pounds.
Other Australians ranked at the weight include Michael Zerafa, Dylan Biggs, Joel Camilleri and Blake Wells.
Of course, first up, Tszyu is now set to enjoy a getaway with wife Alexandra for a couple of weeks, with the pair reportedly headed for Thailand.
However, as soon as the resurrected Australian fighter returns home next month, there will be a host of potential opportunities for himself and new coach Jeff Fenech to discuss.
Among the most likely fights are:
1. JERMELL CHARLO (35-2-1) – Former undisputed super welterweight king
After beating one American great, why not double down with another? After all, it has now been almost four years since Tszyu was initially slated to fight Jermell Charlo for all four super welterweight titles – only for the Texan to withdraw not once, but twice.
Yet after initially breaking his hand in sparring, and then taking a Canelo Alvarez superfight, the 36-year-old superstar is now being talked up for a return after three years out.
And he is keen to face off with Tszyu.
Undoubtedly, this would be a huge fight — and payday — for both men.
Better, there is no shortage of bad blood between the longtime rivals, with Charlo having only ever referred to Australia’s boxing poster boy by the same two syllables – Ta-Zoo.
Elsewhere, the American has also previously branded Tszyu a “paper champion” who “hasn’t done s… in boxing” – while also suggesting the Sydneysider only beat Tony Harrison due to the high levels of salt in Australian tap water.
2. ERISLANDY LARA (32-3-3) – WBA middleweight champion
Considered Tszyu’s best chance of joining new trainer Jeff Fenech as a two-division world champion.
A Cuban boxing icon, Lara has not only spent 13 years contesting world title fights, or reigned over the WBA middleweight division for five, but has many still convinced he won that 2014 blockbuster against Canelo Alvarez – despite losing a split decision on the judges’ scorecards.
Like Spence and Charlo, Lara is promoted by PBC, who share a strong working relationship with Australian promoters No Limit.
Yet while there are plenty convinced, at 43, the man who once iced Michael Zerafa is the perfect opponent for Tszyu, others aren’t convinced — telling you how the Cuban’s slick southpaw style, even at this advanced age, is no joke … and may still be too much for Tszyu.
3. DENZEL BENTLEY (22-3-1) – WBO middleweight champion
Australians love an Ashes Battle, which is why this big punching Londoner is the undeniable ‘smokey’ for Tszyu’s first world title attempt at 160 pounds.
Nicknamed ‘2 Sharp’, Bentley is the middleweight division’s newest champ and famed for boasting brutal power in both his hands – as evidenced by a knockout ratio sitting above 80 per cent.
Earlier this month, the 31-year-old was elevated to WBO middleweight king after the strap was relinquished by Janibek Alimkhanuly.
Ironically, the Brit initially won the interim strap in April against Venezuela’s Endry Saavedra. This is the same Saavedra, you may know, who has been promoted by No Limit ever since upsetting one of their former fighters, Issac Hardman, in 2024.
Undeniably, No Limit would have been keen for Saavedra, as either champion or interim belt holder, to eventually throw down against Tszyu. And while Bentley is a more dangerous option, the Englishman is undeniably now in the mix.
4. CARLOS ADAMES (25-1-1) – WBC middleweight champion
Undeniably, the strongest of all the middleweight champions. Hailing from the Dominican Republic, this 32-year-old’s aggressive, come forward style, and wonderfully brutal body assaults, would be a difficult proposition for Tszyu.
While a win over Adames would prove Tszyu a genuine two-division king in every sense, there are certainly easier ways to get that honour and almost certainly for the same cash.
Another sticking point is the talk around Adames potentially moving up to super middleweight and vacating the strap. With those questions now out there, it brings us to the next fighter on the list …
5. JESUS RAMOS (24-1) – Interim WBC middleweight champ
Should Adames depart, one option could be Tszyu fighting Jesus Ramos for WBC gold, although the Arizona native is no sure thing.
For a start, there have already been reports of Ramos defending against the No. 1 ranked Meiirim Nursultanov this September. Ramos too, is a southpaw, and plenty of analysts will tell you Tszyu’s best work doesn’t come against lefties, especially those as aggressive as ‘El Mono’.
Of course, Tszyu just beat one of the greatest southpaws of this generation in Spence who, while not the same fighter who once ruled the welterweight division, still showed plenty in what eventually became his farewell from the sport.
6. XANDER ZAYAS (23-1) – Former WBO super welterweight champ
The Puerto Rican superstar would provide a huge fight, and payday for Tszyu, while also potentially ticking off that greatest of bucket list items for any fighter …throwing down inside New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Despite losing his WBO super welterweight title to Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in June, Zayas remains a big name in the sport.
He also boasts a huge following in the Big Apple, thanks to both his exciting style and the city’s passionate Puerto Rican community.
And after starring for five years at 154 pounds, there is now talk of the 23-year-old moving up to middleweight and challenging to become a two-weight world champion, exactly like Tszyu is looking to do himself.
In the past 24 hours, it has been revealed Zayas will not be invoking a rematch clause with ‘Boots’. As yet however, there has been no confirmation of where he will be campaigning when he looks to return from his first career loss.
Zayas is promoted by Top Rank, who have only recently inked a new broadcasting deal with DAZN — who are aligned with Main Event Australia and Kayo Sports — which only helps with negotiations.
Elsewhere, Tszyu has also long coveted the chance to throw down inside ‘The Garden’ – where, previously, fellow Aussie boxers George Kambosos and Cherneka Johnson have also earned the biggest wins of their own careers.
7. KEITH THURMAN (31-2) – Former WBC, WBA welterweight champion
OK, so this one is long odds, but you’d have to think there are few people Tim Tszyu would like to put a beating on more than the outspoken American great dubbed ‘One Time’.
Especially given it has now been more than two years since Tszyu was supposed to headline in Las Vegas against Thurman, whose withdrawal at the 11th hour saw Sebastian Fundora called in for what will forever be one of the sport’s truly incredible sliding doors moments.
Thurman, of course, has been angling for a Tszyu showdown ever since – it’s why he fought Brock Jarvis in 2025 – and earlier this year even offered himself up as a potential rival for the unbeaten Nikita Tszyu.
While there are bigger fights for Tszyu, and ones with more silverware available, this would be a chance to forever close the door on all the chaos Thurman’s withdrawal created.