Boxing 2026: Tim Tszyu confirms Erislandy Lara fight talks for Australia, latest news, fight date

Tim Tszyu has confirmed contracts are close to being finalised for a December showdown against WBA middleweight king Erislandy Lara – declaring the opportunity to win gold in a second weight class, and make history, trumps even facing American superstar Jermell Charlo.

Tszyu quickly added however that he still has “unfinished business” with Charlo, while also talking up potential bouts against the likes of Keith Thurman, Ryan Garcia, even Dana White’s new Zuffa signing – English superstar Conor Benn.

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As revealed by Fox Sports Australia this week, Tszyu’s promoters No Limit are now close to finalising a deal to bring Lara Down Under before Christmas.

Given Tszyu has previously held the WBO super welterweight crown, a win over Lara would see ‘The Phoenix’ become a two-division world champion.

Speaking from Thailand on Wednesday, where he is already in training, Tszyu said he wanted the Lara fight over Charlo, declaring: “I’d rather fight for a world title”.

The Aussie added it was timely facing Lara, a southpaw, given he was fresh off an emphatic win over American superstar Errol Spence Jnr – who is himself a leftie.

Speaking earlier this week, No Limit boss George Rose confirmed talks with Team Lara were nearing the final stages, with both camps negotiating for an Australian headliner sometime before Christmas.

The announcement means both Tszyu boys could be contesting the biggest fights of their careers just days apart, with No Limit also in talks for 28-year-old Nikita to make his US debut in Las Vegas this December.

While Tim Tszyu took aim at Charlo via social media last weekend, Rose has now officially confirmed Lara as next man up, saying: “We’ve had great discussions with Lara’s team, and I feel like something is close to being announced”.

Asked by Fox Sports Australia about the Rose quotes during a media Zoom call from Thailand on Wednesday, Tszyu immediately doubled down.

“To become a two-division world champion, that’s what I’m chasing,” he said. “And against a guy named Lara.”

While Rose politely declined to reveal further details, Tszyu also confirmed whispers that an Australian headliner in December is now the most likely scenario.

“Yeah, yeah,” he grinned. “The boys at No Limit are really tight with PBC [who promote Lara]. So we’re able to make these fights happen and bring them over to Australia. That’s what we’re hoping for.”

Pushed on his decision to choose the Lara fight over Charlo, Tszyu said he was driven by the desire to ink his own name among those handful of Australians to have won gold in multiple divisions – including Jeff Fenech, Liam Paro, Danny Green and Anthony Mundine.

When it comes to the four major boxing organisations however, only Fenech and Paro have won multiple belts.

“So it’s the legacy,” Tszyu explained. “We’ve had a lot of different world champions here in Australia, but to win in different weight divisions, not many have done that.

“Liam Paro was the second person and now I’m attempting to be the third. So it would be a real legacy defining moment in my life. That’s why I’m chasing it.”

Thoughts on Lara then, who at 43 is the world’s oldest reigning world champion?

“I’ve been watching him for years and years,” Tszyu continued. “And stylistically, he’s very hard to beat. He moves around, just a very good boxer … it’s an intriguing match up.”

Tszyu added however that he was advantaged by coming straight off a camp against Spence.

“Going back to back with two southpaw preps,” he said, “that plays a big part.”

The Sydneysider also said he has no problem fighting again before the year is out.

“I’ve had a crazy run,” he grinned. “And I’m always eager to punch on and fight. If it’s this year, next year, it doesn’t bother me.”

Elsewhere, Tszyu also explained his hilarious Instagram post last weekend taking a dig at Charlo, which included the Australian mocked up as King Jaffe Joffer from Hollywood classic, Coming To America.

Surprisingly, Tszyu said the image has sat in his Iphone for almost four years.

“You know what, that picture I posted, I actually had to find it,” he grinned. “I made it just before we were supposed to fight [in 2023].

“Then he pulled out and I thought ‘ah, damn, I couldn’t put it up’.

“So I’ve been waiting for a moment to put that one up. And of course I’m still chasing Charlo.

“That’s unfinished business.

“For years and years that fight has been spoken about. So that fight needs to be made and I’m welcoming it.”

Told he had fought a staggering eight times since the American’s last appearance, a brutal 2023 loss against Canelo Alvarez, Tszyu grinned: “There you go … vacation”.

Think Charlo fights this year?

“I’m not sure,” he shrugged. “The things is, the [middleweight] division now is hot.

“There are names like Xander Zayas, Charlo, Lara, Conor Benn is moving up, potentially even Ryan Garcia, who knows? There are so many names out there.

“There are some big fights to be made.”

Tszyu also suggested he was still interested in a fight with Thurman.

“That would be a good name as well,” he said. “And I welcome every challenge. Especially against guys that have been there [at the top], that are credible.”

Pushed on a potential collaboration with Benn, who is with Zuffa Boxing, he continued: “I wouldn’t be willing to collaborate on the world titles, but I’d be willing to have a fight with one of their fighters, of course.

“We’re in this for a short period of time.

“And I’ve spoken with No Limit about if the opportunity arises, of course we’ll take it. There is so much in this boxing world and you have to take it with both hands.

“Conor Benn is a match up I would be very interested in.”

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Asked about being in Thailand, he said: “I haven’t been here for a long time so it’s good to be back.

“Just doing some pre camp.

“It refreshes me, and I’m slowly getting back into it.

“I did some boxing yesterday and I’m in a hotel where we have everything. So I’ve also done strength and conditioning and went for my ‘Big Buddah’ run.”