Tim Tszyu is riding high after a career-best win over Errol Spence Jr. last time out. Now, the former WBO super-welterweight world champion is being linked with a fight where victory would grant him admission into an elite club.
Tszyu lost his WBO super-welterweight crown in defeat to Sebastian Fundora and has failed to return to the 154lb throne in two title challenges – a shot against Bakhram Murtazaliev and a rematch with Fundora – since then.
However, after scoring back-to-back wins on home soil, Tszyu headed into the highest-profile bout of his career to date as he faced Spence in a middleweight scrap back in July, becoming the second man to defeat the former unified welterweight ruler, who retired post-fight.
It seems Tszyu’s 2026 fight calendar is not over yet, as No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose confirmed to Fox Sports Australia that the 31-year-old is close to signing a challenge for 42-year-old Erislandy Lara’s WBA middleweight world title before the end of the year.
“We’ve had great discussions with Lara’s team and I feel like something is close to being announced”
Tszyu’s win over Spence was also his first with Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech as his lead trainer. Should he be successful against Lara, he would join Fenech and Liam Paro as the third Australian to win a world title in more than one division.
Discussing the potential clash with Lara, Fenech admitted that he would ‘love’ to see Tszyu join him and Paro, but recognised that the Cuban champion will be a difficult challenge despite his age.
“I’d love for Timmy to win world titles in two weight divisions. To be with him for that, yeah, incredible. But, whoever Tim chooses, I’ll put a plan in place.”
“I’ve looked at his [Lara’s] age and I’ve looked at his fighting and Lara fights nothing like a guy who is 42. He is just so skilful, so dominant and the reason Lara has the record he does, it’s because he makes people fight his fight.
“He dictates, and makes you fight the way he wants you to. So, my job is to make sure that doesn’t happen. Get Lara wondering what Tim is going to do.”
It is understood that Lara-Tszyu would take place this December in Australia, where Tszyu remains undefeated despite the three career losses to his name.
