Tim Tszyu to challenge Erislandy Lara for WBA middleweight title in Australia

Tim Tszyu will challenge Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight title in Australia in late November, No Limit Boxing has confirmed, giving the former junior-middleweight champion an opportunity to win a world title in a second division.

The date and venue have yet to be announced, although the Gold Coast is understood to be a leading candidate. Sydney, Brisbane and Perth have also expressed interest in staging the contest.

Tszyu, 28-3 (18 KOs), secured his opportunity after defeating Errol Spence Jnr on points in July, his third consecutive victory following a difficult period that saw him lose three of four fights between March 2024 and July 2025.

The Australian lost his WBO junior-middleweight title to Sebastian Fundora in March 2024 before suffering a third-round stoppage against Bakhram Murtazaliev that October. A second defeat to Fundora in July 2025 left his career at a crossroads, but victories over Anthony Velazquez, Denis Nurja and Spence have since returned him to world title contention.

Tszyu called out Lara immediately after defeating Spence and has committed his future to the 160lb division.

“At 160 I feel strong, I feel sharp and I feel dangerous,” Tszyu said. “Middleweight is my division now. Spence was just the appetiser.”

Lara’s lengthy reign and limited activity

Lara, 32-3-3 (19 KOs), has held a version of the WBA middleweight title since 2021, although the 43-year-old Cuban has fought just five times during that period, making four successful defences.

He stopped Thomas LaManna in the opening round to claim the vacant WBA regular title in May 2021 before defeating Gary O’Sullivan in May 2022. A 22-month absence followed before Lara returned to stop Michael Zerafa in two rounds in March 2024.

Lara subsequently defeated former two-weight champion Danny Garcia, whose corner retired him after nine rounds in September 2024, before spending another 15 months out of the ring.

His most recent defence came last December against Johan Gonzalez, who stepped in at short notice after a planned unification with IBF and WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly collapsed following the Kazakh’s positive test for meldonium. Lara dropped Gonzalez twice on his way to a unanimous decision.

Despite his lengthy reign, Lara has faced relatively limited opposition in recent years, with Garcia moving up from welterweight and his other successful defences coming against comparatively modest opposition.

The Cuban has never been stopped in 38 professional contests, however, and his defensive movement, timing and counter-punching present a difficult stylistic challenge for Tszyu, particularly against an opponent accustomed to coming forward.

“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.”

Lara fight takes priority over Charlo

The agreement marks a change of direction from Tszyu’s previously stated ambition to face Jermell Charlo, the former undisputed junior-middleweight champion.

The pair were originally scheduled to meet in January 2023 before Charlo withdrew through injury, and discussions resurfaced over a possible fight with the winner of Tszyu’s July contest against Spence.

Negotiations with Lara subsequently advanced, although Charlo could still feature on the November undercard. His involvement has not been confirmed, and the American has not fought since losing to Canelo Alvarez in September 2023.

Tszyu will again work under Jeff Fenech, who took over as head trainer ahead of the Spence fight. The former three-weight world champion joined his team in 2025 and will oversee preparations for Lara’s southpaw style.

Victory would make Tszyu a world champion in two weight divisions, something his father, Kostya Tszyu, never achieved despite becoming undisputed junior-welterweight champion.

No Limit is expected to confirm the date, venue and broadcast arrangements in the coming weeks. Nikita Tszyu, Liam Wilson and Liam Paro have been mentioned as potential undercard participants, although no supporting bouts have been announced.