Tim Tszyu Nears Erislandy Lara Title Fight

Tim Tszyu is closing in on a fight with WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara in Australia. No Limit Boxing is working to complete the deal, which would give Tszyu an opportunity to become a two-division champion.

“No Limit Boxing is closing in on a historic WBA World Middleweight Championship fight between Erislandy Lara and Tim Tszyu in Australia, allowing Tszyu to become a two division world champion,” said Main Events TV on X.

No date, venue, or broadcast information was included. Describing the negotiations as “closing in,” however, takes the story beyond George Rose publicly identifying Lara as No Limit’s preferred opponent.

After defeating Errol Spence Jr. by unanimous decision on July 26 in Sydney, Tszyu moved into the WBA’s No. 4 position. Yoenli Hernandez, Vadim Tukov and Shane Mosley Jr. occupy the three positions above him in the WBA rankings.

That has not stopped his promoters from going directly after Lara. Boxing promoters rarely wait patiently when a marketable champion is available.

The 43-year-old Cuban has held a version of the WBA middleweight title since 2021. He last fought in December 2025, defeating Johan Gonzalez by unanimous decision after victories over Danny Garcia and Michael Zerafa.

He remains a recognizable name, but this is plainly the most favorable championship opportunity available to Tszyu at 160 pounds. Lara is much older than the Australian and has fought only three times since May 2022. Staging the contest in Tszyu’s home country also makes sense for No Limit because he remains a major ticket seller there.

Treating Lara like another faded opponent brought to Australia for his name would be a serious mistake. He remains an intelligent southpaw counterpuncher with excellent timing and enough power to punish careless aggression. Zerafa learned that when Lara knocked him out in the second round in 2024.

The southpaw element gives the fight more tactical interest. Tszyu has recently dealt with that stance against Sebastian Fundora and Spence, but neither man fights like Lara.

Fundora used height, reach and punch volume to create awkward exchanges. Spence was more willing to operate at midrange and trade. The WBA champion prefers to conserve energy, draw opponents forward, and land a clean left hand or short counter as they commit.

Steady aggression, planted feet and close range work are central to Tszyu’s style. If he follows Lara in straight lines, he will repeatedly present the champion with countering opportunities. Controlling Lara’s lead hand, stepping outside his lead foot and bringing the right hand over the top without becoming predictable will be essential.

Low activity has become a successful late career formula for Lara. He gives away very little, waits for mistakes and trusts that a few clean punches will win rounds against opponents producing ineffective activity.

That style becomes dangerous in Australia. A partisan crowd will respond to everything Tszyu throws, including combinations caught on Lara’s gloves. Judges may favor the younger aggressor driving the action over a champion landing selectively while boxing in reverse.

Attacking downstairs may produce Tszyu’s best work. He targeted Spence’s body, crowded him and denied him the room needed to recover. Applying the same approach against Lara would force the champion to move continuously or exchange at close range.

At 43, the champion may retain his timing without having the legs to escape for 12 rounds. There is no need for Tszyu to chase an early knockout. Consistent body punching can slow Lara, reduce his countering chances, and make the later rounds increasingly physical.

The straight left will be Lara’s answer. Every reckless entry gives him a chance to stop an attack before it develops. That means Tszyu must avoid charging into range with his head directly over his front foot.

The WBA rankings reveal why this fight is attractive to both camps. Hernandez is No. 1, followed by Tukov and Mosley. All three offer smaller paydays than Tszyu, while Hernandez may present considerably more danger than his commercial profile suggests.

Pursuing the largest available Australian event gives Tszyu his best chance of winning a belt. Lara receives another major payday, while the challenger avoids waiting for an eliminator against a less recognizable opponent.

A win would make Tszyu a two-division champion and repair much of the damage caused by his losses at junior middleweight. It would also give Australian boxing another world titleholder with a name capable of filling a large arena.

Owning the belt would bring obligations. If Lara loses, the WBA may eventually require the new champion to face one of the younger contenders currently ranked above him. Those fights would offer smaller financial returns without the aging champion angle that makes this matchup so appealing.

First, the Australian has to take the title from a fighter who has spent years making aggressive opponents look ordinary. Lara is old enough to be targeted, but still skilled enough to punish anyone who confuses age with helplessness.

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