Australia’s Tim Tszyu will face a dangerous unbeaten opponent on Easter Sunday as he builds towards a highly-anticipated clash with American superstar Errol Spence Jr. later this year.
Just months after his Sydney showdown with Anthony Velazquez, Fox Sports Australia can confirm that the 31-year-old will return to the ring on Sunday April 5 in Wollongong — his first time fighting in the city.
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The former world champion will face Albanian Denis Nurja (20-0) on a stacked No Limit Boxing card that also features top-ranked Sam Goodman, Olympian Callum Peters and former NRL star Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Goodman will take on Argentinian Rodrigo Ruiz in a world title eliminator while Asofa-Solomona will rematch fellow rugby league star Jarrod Wallace after the pair fought back in 2023.
Tszyu says he’s been eager for this fight to happen sooner.
“It’s been sometime in the making,” Tszyu grinned.
“I’ve been bugging the boys about the date and who I’m fighting. But finally, I’m glad they got it all done and I’m blessed to be in this position. I feel better than ever.”
Asked about Nurja, Tszyu made it clear he’s not taking his opponent lightly.
“He presents a challenge,” said Tszyu.
“Big amateur pedigree. Eight national titles. He’s fought at the world championships – IBA level.
“He’s been in there and mixed it with a lot of great fighters, so I’m motivated, inspired and focused.”
The fight will take place at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre – a venue that has staged several huge boxing events in recent years.
“I’ve fought all around Australia, but I haven’t fought in Wollongong,” said Tszyu
“I know it’s the territory of Sammy Goodman and Alex Volkanovski – there’s a big combat sports background down there.
“It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to fight – and it’s just 45 minutes away from home.”
Tszyu’s promoter George Rose said once again his charge has refused to take an easy option as he works his way back toward the top.
“This is a hell of a step up,” explained Rose.
“Nurja’s a world #12. He’s undefeated in 20 fights. It’s Tim’s second back-to-back undefeated opponent.
“When you’re rebuilding a career you usually take easy fights, but Tim Tszyu doesn’t do easy fights.
“He wants to be the best – and he knows that to do that you’ve got to fight the best.
“Tim never takes tune ups, he only takes step ups — and this is another step up from where he was in his last fight.”
As revealed by Fox Sports Australia last month, Tszyu is set to face former pound-for-pound star Spence in a blockbuster showdown later this year.
Spence hasn’t fought since his 2023 defeat to Terence Crawford, when he was dropped three times and stopped in their battle for the undisputed crown.
In the aftermath, many questioned whether “The Big Fish” would ever return, given his ongoing injury struggles and two serious car accidents outside the ring.
Tszyu and Spence aren’t strangers to each other, either.
The Aussie branded the American a “punk” after Spence boasted on social media that he’d bet $10,000 on Tony Harrison to beat Tszyu back in 2023.
Tszyu responded the best way he knows how – by knocking him out.
It wasn’t the first time, either. Spence had previously backed Terrell Gausha to upset the Australian. Once again, Tszyu made him pay at the bookies.
“We’ve had history,” Tszyu said.
“It’s going to be one hell of a cracking fight.
“When I first heard about it, I was like, ‘Alright, let’s go.’ It’s what dreams are made of.
“But I’m really just dialled in on what I’ve got in front of me. The background noise like Errol Spence and everything else just stays in the background.
“I’m focused on what I’ve got to do.”
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Rose admits it is difficult not to think about the looming showdown with Spence.
“It’s one of those fights that you can’t help but think about,” he said.
“Errol Spence is an absolute legend of the sport. He’s a name that very few people get the opportunity to be mentioned in the same breath as.
“The fact that everybody’s talking about Tim and Errol at the moment is exciting.
“There are a lot of big fights in this division. It is, without a doubt, one of the most stacked divisions in all of boxing.
“You’ve either got dangerous guys who aren’t from Australia or the US, who don’t have the following – guys like Denis Nurja.
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“Or you’ve got these superstars of the sport, and guys like Errol Spence and Charlo, who have been out of the sport for quite some time who can walk back in and be up near the top.
“Keith Thurman’s already done it. He was out for a few years and he’s back. He’s fighting for a world title now, but that just shows the depth of talent in this weight division.
“I can’t wait, honestly.”
MAIN CARD – KAYO SPORTS & MAIN EVENT PPV
Tim Tszyu (26-3, 18 KOs) vs Denis Nurja (20-0, 9 KOs) for the WBO International Middleweight Title – 157lb Catchweight
Sam Goodman (21-1, 8 KOs) vs Rodrigo Ruiz (23-1, 17 KOs) for the IBF Super Bantamweight World Title Eliminator
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (1-0, 1 KO) vs Jarrod Wallace (Professional Debut) at Heavyweight
Callum Peters (5-0, 5 KOs) vs Delio Anzaqeci Mouzinho (4-0, 4 KOs) at Middleweight
Ahmad Reda (8-0, 6 KOs) vs Jomar Paliwen (7-2-2, 5 KOs) at Lightweight
Charlie Kazzi (9-0, 4 KOs) vs Blair Geraghty (5-0, 5 KOs) at Super Lightweight
Max Reeves (12-1-1, 8 KOs) vs Francis Waitai (13-3-1, 1 KO) at Super Middleweight for the WBO Oriental Super Middleweight Title
Paulo Aokuso (9-0, 4 KOs) vs Kittipong Jian Hao Ho (13-1-1, 12 KOs) for the IBF Pan Pacific Light Heavyweight Title
Dharringarra Trewhella (7-0, 4 KOs) vs Dominic Bailey (4-1, 2 KOs)
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