Tim Tszyu to Challenge Erislandy Lara for WBA Title

Tim Tszyu will challenge Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight title in Australia, promoters confirmed, setting up the biggest fight of Tszyu's career outside his native weight class. A date, host city, venue and broadcaster have not yet been announced.

The bout follows Tszyu's July win over Errol Spence Jr in Sydney, a victory that pushed his record to 28-3 with 18 knockouts and extended his winning streak to three. Rather than return to 154 pounds, Tszyu is staying at middleweight to chase a title in his second weight class.

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

What's at stake for Tim Tszyu

Tim Tszyu is chasing a championship in a second weight class after already winning the WBO super welterweight title earlier in his career. Beating Lara would make him the first fighter from the Tszyu family to hold world titles in two divisions, a distinction his father Kostya Tszyu never pursued after cleaning out 140 pounds. "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. Jeff Fenech, who joined Tszyu's corner in April 2026 and guided him through the Spence win, will again lead his corner for this one.

Why Erislandy Lara is a dangerous champion

Erislandy Lara brings a 32-3-3 record, 19 knockouts and genuine championship pedigree into the fight. The Cuban southpaw won the WBA "Regular" middleweight belt in 2021, got upgraded to full champion in 2023, and has defended it four times since. At 43, Lara has never been stopped in his professional career, a stat that speaks to his defensive craft and durability as much as his awkward southpaw timing. He previously held WBA titles at super welterweight as well, giving him a two-division resume of his own before Tszyu even gets in the ring.

Betting Angle

Expect Tszyu to open as the betting favorite once odds surface, largely on the strength of home-field advantage, size and the momentum of the Spence win. But this is not a mismatch on paper. Lara's style, a slick, counter-heavy southpaw who rarely gets hurt, has given plenty of naturally bigger, harder-hitting fighters trouble over the years, and his stoppage-proof record is the kind of trend bettors should respect rather than dismiss. Tszyu's path to the belt likely runs through pressure and body work rather than a quick knockout, which could make the over on total rounds an interesting look once lines are posted. Lara's age and relative inactivity against top-tier opposition are real questions, but so is Tszyu's ability to solve a true defensive southpaw rather than the come-forward styles he's faced recently. This shapes up as a live underdog spot for Lara once markets open.

No date, venue or broadcaster has been locked in yet, with promoters expecting to fill in those details in the coming weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Tim Tszyu fighting next?

Tim Tszyu is set to challenge Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight title in a fight that will take place in Australia, though a date and venue have not yet been announced.

What is Erislandy Lara's record going into the Tim Tszyu fight?

Erislandy Lara enters the Tim Tszyu fight with a record of 32-3-3 with 19 knockouts and has never been stopped as a professional.

Why is the Tim Tszyu vs Erislandy Lara fight significant?

A win would make Tim Tszyu the first member of the Tszyu boxing family to capture world titles in two weight classes, having already held the WBO super welterweight belt before moving up to middleweight.