Tim Tszyu’s chance to write his own chapter in Aussie boxing history is locked in.
The former super welterweight world champion will take on Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight crown on home soil, chasing a second divisional title – and an achievement that eluded his famous father.
Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson ‘Big Nasty’ Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.
Kostya Tszyu conquered the world at light welterweight, becoming the undisputed champion and earning his place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Now Tim wants to take the family name to the top of another division. And do it in Australia.
“I’ve carried the Tszyu name my whole life. It’s a privilege and it’s pressure,” Tszyu said.
“This is my chance to write a chapter that belongs to me, and it’s the legacy defining moment of my career.”
No Limit Boxing confirmed the showdown on Tuesday, with the fight expected to take place in late November. The exact date, city and venue are still to be announced.
Gold Coast is understood to be a strong possibility to host the fight, although Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are also interested.
And while no undercard names have been confirmed, Aussie stars including Nikita Tszyu, Liam Wilson and Liam Paro could also feature.
Reports out of the US last week also suggested former undisputed super welterweight champ Jermell Charlo was being lined up for the card. His involvement and opponent remain unconfirmed.
For Tim, there is a more pressing task.
Take the belt from a crafty Cuban southpaw who has spent years frustrating some of the best fighters in the game.
Lara, boxing’s oldest reigning world champ, brings a record of 32 wins, three losses and three draws, with 19 knockouts.
The former world amateur champ has held world titles at super welterweight and middleweight, making four successful defences of the WBA middleweight crown he won in 2021.
He has also never been stopped.
Tszyu knows the veteran will arrive with every intention of making this a long night.
“Lara is an excellent champion. He’s slick, he’s clever and stylistically he’s very hard to beat,” Tszyu said.
“He’ll want to turn this into a chess match. I don’t want the easy road. I want the man with the belt, and I’ll drag him into a fight he doesn’t want.”
Tszyu enters the showdown with a 28-3 record, including 18 knockouts, and three consecutive victories behind him.
His most recent win came against American superstar Errol Spence Jr in July, when he claimed a unanimous decision before 12,000 fans at a sold-out Afterpay Arena.
Having made his statement at 160 pounds, Tszyu called out Lara. Now that challenge has been answered.
“At 160 I feel strong, I feel sharp and I feel dangerous,” he said.
“Middleweight is my division now. Spence was just the appetiser.”
Goodman crowned world champion | 01:25
Helping guide “The Phoenix” is Australia’s greatest boxer, Jeff Fenech, who joined Tszyu’s team in 2025 and took over as head trainer before the Spence victory.
The Aussie boxing icon knows plenty about winning world titles across multiple divisions – and Tszyu says that experience is being put to work every day.
“Having Jeff Fenech in my corner means everything,” he said.
“He knows exactly what it takes to win titles at two weights, and he’s in my ear every single day.”
No Limit boss George Rose is backing Tszyu to make history in front of his home crowd.
But he isn’t pretending Lara will make it easy.
“I won’t sit here and tell you this will be easy. Lara is a nightmare for anyone,” Rose said.
“He’s a genius in there and he’s spent a decade making the best in the world look silly.
“Plenty of big names have found reasons not to fight him. Tim wanted him and called for him by name. He wants legacy and the time is now.”
MORE BOXING NEWS:
Tszyu’s unfinished business takes fresh twist as US superstar tipped for Aussie card
Aussie champ’s heavyweight bombshell as massive bout teased for Fury–AJ blockbuster
Goodman returns a world champion | 02:55
Further details, including ticketing and broadcast arrangements, will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Kostya. Tim. Nikita. The greatest fighting family Australia has ever produced, and Tim is about to give that family something it’s never had,” Rose said.
“Strap yourselves in, because this one is going to be massive.”