Working with Diaz again signals that Tszyu plans to maintain the partnership that began after the Fundora fights disrupted his run near the top of the 154-pound division. The Australian had previously built momentum with victories over Tony Harrison, Brian Mendoza, and Carlos Ocampo before the two demanding bouts with Fundora stalled that progress.
Tszyu returned to winning form in December when he defeated previously unbeaten Anthony Velazquez by unanimous decision. That performance provided a needed step forward after the setbacks and allowed the 31-year-old to begin rebuilding his position among the leading contenders in the division.
“I feel better than ever, and I’m ready to get back to work,” Tszyu said while discussing the upcoming fight. “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.”
The April contest will mark Tszyu’s first appearance in Wollongong, an Australian coastal city with a strong combat sports following. Fighting at home again allows Tszyu (26-3, 18 KOs) to continue rebuilding momentum in familiar surroundings while he works his way back into the title conversation.
Nurja (20-0, 9 KOs) arrives unbeaten and sees the fight as the biggest opportunity of his career. The 31-year-old Albanian has competed professionally since 2018 and has fought across several countries while gradually moving up the rankings. He picked up three victories in 2025 and opened his 2026 campaign in February with a first-round stoppage of Jose Gregorio Marcano.
“I am 20-0 for a reason, and I did not build that record by playing it safe,” Nurja said. “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.”
The card will also feature a 12-round IBF super bantamweight title eliminator between Australian contender Sam Goodman (21-1, 8 KOs) and Argentina’s Rodrigo Ruiz (23-1, 17 KOs), along with a middleweight bout between unbeaten 2024 Australian Olympian Callum Peters (5-0, 5 KOs) and Delio Mouzinho (4-0, 4 KOs).
The event streams on Prime Video beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT for Prime members in the United States and selected international markets.
Tszyu has rebuilt momentum before during his rise through the division. Another win would keep him moving back toward the world title fights that once appeared within reach.
Read the full article here