Former world junior middleweight champ Tim Tszyu of Australia will make his 2026 return in his homeland next month against Albanian contender Denis Nurja.
Former world champion and Australian superstar Tim Tszyu will return next month to square off against undefeated rising WBA contender Denis Nurja of Albania. The junior middleweight battle will be a main event of the PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video action on Saturday night April 4th (U.S. time) from the Wollongong Entertainment Centre in Australia.
The event is promoted by No Limit Boxing and The Rose Brothers, in association with TGB Promotions.
The 31-year-old Tszyu, 26-3, 18 KOs, will enter this fight off his second straight training camp with new trainer Pedro Diaz in Miami. Most recently, Tszyu won a dominating 10 round unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Anthony Velazquez in Sydney in December. That return came after dropping the second of two tough contests against current WBC 154 lb. world champ, Sebastian Fundora by TKO back in July.
Tszyu, the son of the hall of famer Kostya Tszyu, came into the first Fundora fight undefeated and the WBO world champion. But, he suffered a brutal gash on his scalp from an inadvertent elbow of Fundora in the second round. Tszyu fought valiantly for the next 10 rounds bleeding throughout, but lost a split decision.
He was then kayoed brutally, being knocked down three times, by IBF world champ, Bakhram Murtazaliev and stopped in the third round in October of 2024.
Now, he's on the comeback trail again. In the PBC released statement confirming return, Tszyu said
“I feel better than ever and I’m ready to get back to work. Denis Nurja is undefeated for a reason and he presents a real challenge. He’s got a big amateur pedigree with eight national titles and he’s fought at the world championships, so he’s been in there with some serious fighters. That’s the kind of opponent that motivates me and keeps me sharp. I’m inspired, focused and preparing for the toughest version of him.
“There are some massive opportunities ahead but none of that matters unless I get through this fight. My full focus is on Easter Sunday and the job in front of me. I want to get back to the top of the division and fight for world titles again and this is the first step."
A native of Tirana, Albania, Nurja is 20-0, 9 KOs, has risen up the rankings while fighting and winning in six different countries as he looks to make it seven in Australia against Tszyu.
The 31-year-old had a big 2025 that saw him pick up three victories, including a July stoppage of Kiryl Samadurau, and decisions over Luigi Francesco Zito and Refik Tarhan. Now training and residing in Italy, Nurja has fought professionally since 2018 and owns a notable victory over the previously unbeaten Charles Shinima in March 2024.
Nurja kicked off his 2026 in mid-February with a first-round stoppage of Jose Gregorio Marcano. He said in the release,
“I am 20-0 for a reason and I did not build that record by playing it safe,” said Nurja. “This is the biggest opportunity of my career and I am ready for it. People are talking about Tim’s comeback, but I am the one standing in front of him. I respect what he has done in the sport but I believe this is my moment. I am coming to Australia to win.”
Also featured on Prime Video will be a duel of top junior featherweight contenders as Australia’s Sam Goodman takes on Argentina’s Rodrigo Ruiz in a 12-round IBF 126-Pound Title Eliminator, plus undefeated 2024 Australian Olympian Callum Peters will put his perfect record on the line against fellow unbeaten Delio Mouzinho in middleweight action.