Tim ‘The Phoenix’ Tszyu will chase history against Erislandy ‘The American Dream’ Lara in a blockbuster WBA Middleweight World Title showdown.
Following his statement win over Errol Spence in Sydney, Tszyu is now set to pursue the one achievement which eluded his legendary father when he challenges Lara for the WBA Middleweight World Championship in Australia.
Victory would make Tszyu a two-weight world champion and the first member of Australia’s greatest fighting family to win world titles in two divisions. Kostya Tszyu, the former undisputed light welterweight king and International Boxing Hall of Famer, won every one of his world titles at 140 pounds.
Tim Tszyu (28-3, 18 KOs) arrives on a three-fight winning streak, capped by a unanimous decision over Errol Spence Jr in front of 12,000 fans at a sold-out Afterpay Arena in July.
The former WBO super welterweight world champion made his statement at 160 pounds and called out Lara in the ring that night – now he gets him.
“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.
“Lara is a great champion. He’s slick, he’s clever and stylistically he’s very hard. He’ll want to turn this into a chess match but I’ve never taken the easy road. I want the man with the belt and I’ll drag him into a fight he doesn’t want.
“At 160 I feel strong, I feel sharp and I feel dangerous. Middleweight is my division now. Spence was just the appetiser.
“Having Jeff Fenech in my corner means everything. He knows exactly what it takes to win titles at multiple weights, and he’s in my ear every single day. Liam Paro already did it this year, now it’s my turn.”
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Erislandy Lara (32-3-3, 19 KOs) is boxing’s oldest reigning world champion and one of the most decorated fighters of his generation. The Cuban southpaw was the 2005 world amateur champion, reigned as WBA super welterweight champion and has held the WBA middleweight crown since 2021 with four successful defences. He has never been stopped.
In Tszyu’s corner is three-weight world champion and International Boxing Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech, the first Australian man to win world titles in more than one division. Fenech joined Tszyu’s team in 2025 and took over as head trainer before the Spence win.
The Tszyu story runs deeper than one fight. Kostya set the standard, Tim is chasing what his father never did and younger brother Nikita is building his own world title charge.
The fight is official and confirmed. However, the date, city, venue, ticketing and broadcast details will be announced in the coming weeks.
The fight is official and confirmed. However, the date, city, venue, ticketing and broadcast details will be announced in the coming weeks. No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose has given fans a preview of what to expect.
“Let me tell you something. This (Tim) is a monster. An Australian superstar against a boxing legend, for a historic world title fight on home soil. You don’t get many fights like this in a career and I promise you nobody will want to miss it,” Rose said.
“I won’t sit here and tell you this will be easy. Lara is a nightmare for anyone. 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.
“Nobody in this sport works harder and has shown the determination to prove people wrong than Tim. When his hand gets raised as a two-weight world champion, Australia is going to go absolutely mental.
“Kostya. Tim. Nikita. The greatest fighting family Australia has ever produced, and Tim is about to give that family something it’s never had. Strap yourselves in, because this one is going to be massive.”
No Limit Boxing’s next event is Paul Gallen vs Nelson Asofa-Solomona. The blockbuster bout between two ex-NRL rivals will take place on Friday, November 6 at the TikTok Entertainment Centre in Sydney.
