Nurja, a 31-year-old from Albania, enters with an unbeaten record but little experience against recognized contenders. The WBA lists him as the #12 contender at 154 pounds. His recent fights have taken place in Tirana against modest opposition. During 2025, he outpointed a 4-4-4 opponent over six rounds, stopped Kiryl Samadurau (13-3) in five, and won a six-round decision over Refik Tarhan (8-4). In February, he stopped Jose Gregorio Marcano (17-13-1) in the opening round.
Nurja welcomed the chance to face the Australian former champion.
“I am 20-0 for a reason, and I did not build that record by playing it safe,” Nurja said in a press release. “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.”
Tszyu (26-3, 18 KOs), also 31, has been working to rebuild after a difficult run that ended his stay near the top of the junior middleweight division. His WBO title reign ended in March 2024 when he lost a bloody split decision to Sebastian Fundora. A deep cut on his scalp caused heavy bleeding during the bout and forced him to fight through much of the night with impaired vision.
The defeat was followed by an even tougher setback. Tszyu was stopped in three rounds by Bakhram Murtazaliev in October 2024 for the IBF title. He later returned with a fourth-round stoppage of Joey Spencer before signing for a rematch with Fundora for the WBC belt. That fight ended after seven rounds when Tszyu remained in his corner.
His most recent fight came in December, when he won a wide decision over the previously unbeaten Anthony Velazquez (18-0-1).
Tszyu remains ranked in multiple divisions. The WBC lists him at #7 and the IBF at #8 at junior middleweight, while the WBO lists him #3 at middleweight.
A possible fight with Errol Spence Jr. (28-1, 22 KOs) has been mentioned for later this year if Tszyu continues to win. Spence has not fought since July 2023, when Terence Crawford stopped him in nine rounds to win the undisputed welterweight championship.
Tszyu said his attention remains on the upcoming fight.
“There are some massive opportunities ahead, but none of that matters unless I get through this fight,” Tszyu said. “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.”
Tszyu is expected to enter the fight as a clear favorite, but his recent results leave little room for error if he wants to work his way back into major title opportunities.
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