Australian junior middleweight contender and former 154 lb. champ Tim Tszyu makes his 2026 debut back in his home country of Australia Saturday night.
Former WBO junior middleweight world champion and Australian star Tim Tszyu is ready to go for his 2026 return to the ring against a little known opponent and with a larger payday fight looming, as well.
And, on Thursday "Down Under" he and unbeaten Denis Nurja, faced off at the final press conference ahead of their anticipated clash.
The 31 year old Tszyu, 26-3, 18 KOs, will headline the No Limit Boxing/PBC on Prime Video main event. That will air live on Saturday night April 4th in the U.S. and Easter Sunday in the afternoon live in Australia from the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, Australia. But, bigger for the Aussie star is a potential Summer fight with former unified welterweight champ Errol Spence of the U.S.
More on that in a moment.
As for the comments prior to the Saturday night. Tszyu is aware that his comeback from two tough, championship KO losses is a work in progress,
“This is the rise. I feel like I did fall apart. I am putting the wheels back in motion and I’m coming and I’m gunning straight back to that No.1 spot and whoever is in the way of that, they’re in danger.
Tszyu suffered a rough third round KO defeat to Russian WBA junior middleweight titleholder Bakhram Murtazaliev in October 2024 and then, lost for a second time in their rematch by TKO to WBC champ Sebastian Fundora last July.
As for fighting the 20-0 Nurja, who's originally out of Albania, Tszyu knows that some are questioning why he should do this bout before the larger payday with Spence,
“I always just put it all on the line and I’m just confident in myself. So, look, of course everything’s a risk. But you’ve got to put it all on the line. We’re in this sport for a short, minimal amount of time and you’ve just got to make the most of every opportunity.
And, he knows he's got to be more measured, Sunday in Australia,
“I’ve changed myself to a certain extent, but I just can’t wait to get in there and bang on, let the dog come out. All of them watch the Bakhram fight. I sleep with my right hand on my chin. I’m well aware that’s what they are thinking. Throwing the left hook. They think it’s my kryptonite. I just want to point it out. I’m very well aware of it.”
Hear insider Dan Rafael and me discuss this Tszyu matchup and more off our "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast," by clicking play below.
As for the 32 year old Nurja, he's a decided underdog that most have not heard of but he projected the usual confidence of "the opponent" Thursday,
I’ve trained really hard. I have a lot of respect for Tim, but I’ve come here to win. I’m used to people talking. I don’t care what they say because I live in the present.
“We’ll see what happens on Sunday. The win would be a massive step in my career. It would be the culmination of 20 years of training, 20 years of sacrifice. Such a gift for me.”
The event is shaping up as a pivotal moment for both fighters’ careers, with Tszyu aiming to reassert his championship status and Nurja looking to secure the biggest win, by far, of his career.
The broadcast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Saturday night and will stream exclusively on Prime Video for all U.S. Prime members, with free trials available for new subscribers.