Sights on WBA Middleweight Title and Long-Awaited Charlo Showdown After Lara Clash
Tim Tszyu is stepping back onto home soil next month with a golden opportunity to capture the WBA middleweight title, facing off against boxing’s oldest current world champion, Erislandy Lara. Should the Australian contender emerge victorious in this high-stakes encounter, a major marquee matchup is already looming large in the back of his mind for the future.
As a former WBO super-welterweight world champion, Tszyu stands on the precipice of Australian boxing history. If he is able to dethrone the veteran champion Lara in five weeks’ time, he will officially become Australia’s third multi-divisional world champion. By achieving this feat, he would join an elite and exclusive club currently featuring his lead trainer, Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech, and current IBF welterweight ruler Liam Paro, who recently secured his own status at the elite level.
However, accomplishing this historic milestone will be no easy task. At 43 years of age, Erislandy Lara has consistently proven himself to be exceptionally difficult to overcome in recent years. Known universally as “The American Dream,” the Cuban-born southpaw has displayed remarkable longevity and punching power since moving up into the 160-pound division. Demonstrating that age is merely a number, Lara has secured victory by stoppage on four separate occasions during a dominant run of five consecutive wins in his new weight class, establishing himself as a formidable ruler of the middleweight division who refuses to yield his crown easily.
Despite the daunting challenge presented by his upcoming duel with the seasoned champion, Tszyu recently revealed in an interview with FightHype that a long-awaited showdown with Jermell Charlo remains firmly targeted for 2027. At the same time, the disciplined Australian contender was quick to maintain that securing a world title victory against Lara must remain his absolute priority when such a monumental opportunity has finally become available to him.
Refining his focus on the immediate future while keeping his long-term career goals in perspective, Tszyu elaborated on his strategic mindset regarding the divisional landscape and his future aspirations.
"100% [I hope to face Jermell Charlo in 2027]. It is the fight that I want, as well," Tszyu told FightHype when discussing the potential matchup. "I am not running away from it, I had the opportunity now to fight Lara for the middleweight world title and that is more important for me, right now."
Acknowledging the immense commercial and sporting appeal of a future bout against the American star, Tszyu added further context to how he envisions his career progressing over the next few years.
"But, Charlo is like a bucket list [fight] and we both need to figure it out," Tszyu said. "Me and Charlo, after a world title win, is massive. But, I am not overlooking anyone, I am just focussed straight on Lara."
Tszyu will head into this crucial championship bout looking to build directly off the momentum of a career-best victory over Errol Spence Jr., a high-profile win that further solidified his standing among the elite fighters operating on the global stage. Furthermore, the undefeated Australian contender will aim to maintain his flawless professional record of never losing a fight on home soil when he squares off against Erislandy Lara on Saturday, December 12.
