Tim Tszyu is reportedly targeting a world title in a second weight class, setting his sights on a November showdown with World Boxing Association (WBA) middleweight champion Erislandy Lara. The move comes just months after Tszyu’s impressive unanimous decision victory over former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. in Sydney. A victory in this tim tszyu fight would make Tszyu a two-division world champion.
A potential fight against the 43-year-old Lara would present a fascinating clash of styles and generations, pitting Tszyu’s relentless pressure against the Cuban veteran’s slick southpaw skills. According to reports from Fox Sports, the fight is being targeted for late November in Australia, promising a significant event for boxing fans.
The tim tszyu fight solidified his middleweight place
Tim Tszyu’s move to the 160-pound middleweight division has been both challenging and decisive. After losing his WBO super-welterweight title in a bloody split-decision loss to Sebastian Fundora in March 2024, Tszyu immediately recalibrated.
He made a statement with a unanimous decision win over Denis Nurja in April 2026 for a regional title. His true arrival in the division came on July 25, 2026, when he faced Errol Spence Jr. in a highly anticipated bout.
Spence, returning after a nearly three-year layoff and moving up in weight, was ultimately outmatched by Tszyu’s strength and activity. The judges’ scorecards of 117-111, 118-110, and 117-111 reflected a dominant performance that sent Spence into retirement.
After the win, Tszyu left no doubt about his intentions. “[Middleweight] is my new division and I feel strong,” he declared, signaling his plan to campaign and win a title at 160 pounds.
His pursuit of a title shot just four months later underscores that ambition, following a busy October 2026 boxing schedule that has set the stage for major end-of-year clashes.
The victory over a name like Spence, a former pound-for-pound entrant, significantly raised Tszyu’s profile. While some critics point to Spence’s long inactivity as a factor, the win provided Tszyu with crucial momentum and a legitimate claim to be a top contender in his new weight class.
The target: Boxing’s oldest champion
In Erislandy Lara, Tszyu has identified a high-risk, high-reward opponent. At 43, the Cuban known as “The American Dream” is currently the oldest reigning world champion in boxing.
His professional record includes battles against many of the sport’s biggest names, making Lara a stern test of technical skill for any fighter. A slick southpaw with deceptive power, Lara has long been regarded as one of the most technically proficient boxers of his era.
However, his age and relative inactivity have become significant question marks. His last fight was in December 2025, where he scored two knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision over Johan Gonzalez.
This makes the potential bout a compelling tactical puzzle. Can Tszyu’s aggressive, come-forward style and body attack break down the veteran, or will Lara’s experience, ring IQ, and defensive mastery frustrate the younger man?
A win for Tszyu would not only secure him a world title but would also add a respected and historically significant name to his resume. Defeating Lara would prove Tszyu can handle elite technical boxers, a question that has followed him throughout his career.
It would silence doubters and establish him as a legitimate threat to any of the other champions in the division.
The crowded middleweight title picture
The 160-pound division is full of dangerous champions, and Tszyu’s choice of Lara is a strategic one. The other current titleholders include Carlos Adames of the Dominican Republic, who holds the World Boxing Council (WBC) belt, and Ireland’s Aaron McKenna, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) title is held by Denzel Bentley of the United Kingdom. Bentley became the full WBO middleweight champion in July 2026 after Janibek Alimkhanuly relinquished the title.
Fighters often navigate weight class changes, and the relinquishing of titles is not uncommon in the sport, as champions adjust their strategies or move to different divisions. This continuous shuffling ensures fresh challenges and new opportunities for contenders.
Adding another layer of intrigue is the report that Jermell Charlo may feature on the undercard of a potential Tszyu-Lara event. Tszyu and Charlo have a long and storied history at super-welterweight.
Tszyu was the mandatory challenger for Charlo’s WBO title before Charlo moved up to fight Canelo Alvarez in September 2023 and was subsequently stripped. This action elevated Tszyu to full champion status and created an opportunity for vacant WBO titles to be claimed by other contenders in different divisions.
A return for Charlo on a Tszyu card could set the stage for a massive grudge match between the two rivals at middleweight, should Tszyu prove successful against Lara. The narrative is already there, and the fan interest would be immense. This kind of high-stakes contest is reminiscent of when Floyd Schofield and Lucas Bahdi clash for a WBA title.
Building a legacy beyond a legendary name
As the son of hall-of-fame fighter and former undisputed light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu, Tim has fought under the weight of immense expectations. While he has always embraced his father’s legacy, his goal has been to carve out his own path and create his own history in the sport.
Capturing a world title in a second division would be a monumental step in that journey. It would be an achievement that stands on its own, separating him from his father’s accomplishments and solidifying his own credentials for future hall-of-fame consideration.
His father, known for his formidable power and precision, was a dominant force at 140 pounds. A victory over Lara would demonstrate Tim’s versatility and ability to adapt to different styles and weight classes.
It would also showcase his ambition, refusing to take an easy path after the high-profile win over Spence. This relentless drive for legacy is what separates good fighters from great ones.
His journey has been marked by strategic decisions and an unwavering commitment to proving his capabilities at the highest level of the sport. Should Tszyu defeat Lara, he would not only hold a major world title but also become one of the most marketable stars in the middleweight division.
His all-action style and Australian fan base make him an attractive opponent for unification fights, promising exciting and lucrative events in 2027 and beyond. The path is clear, but the first step is a dangerous dance with a crafty veteran.
