WBA middleweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will take on former junior middleweight title holder Tim Tszyu on Saturday, December 12th (U.S. date and time) headlining action streaming live on DAZN from Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia and presented by Premier Boxing Champions. Cuba’s sharpshooter Lara will become the latest star to travel down under to challenge the power-punching Tszyu in Tszyu's home country. Lara is looking to make his fifth defense of his title against the hometown hero, who can cement his own status as an Australian legend by becoming a two-division champion. The lineup will also include the return of former undisputed 154-pound king Jermell Charlo battling the hard-hitting Brock Jarvis in the ten-round middleweight co-feature, with the action beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. In a third featured bout, Elnur Samedov defends his WBA regular title at 130 pounds against Australia's Liam Wilson. [Samedov was apparently promoted from interim to regular champion by the WBA, with Anthony Cacace remaining above Saemdov in the WBA hierarchy]. The event is promoted by No Limit Boxing and The Rose Brothers, and TGB Promotions.
“Saturday, December 12th will see one of the biggest middleweight fights in years as the long-reigning world champion Lara defends his title against the popular action fighter and former champion Tszyu live on DAZN, with the winner emerging as the clear fighter to beat at 160 pounds,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “With Jermell Charlo making his long-awaited return in the co-main event, plus a toss-up 130-pound title fight between Elnur Samedov and Liam Wilson, and December 12 promises more drama live on DAZN.”
“This is the biggest and best fight card in Australia, full stop,” said George Rose, CEO, No Limit Boxing. “A reigning world champion, a former undisputed world champion and two world titles, in a stadium on the Gold Coast. Nothing else comes close. Tim Tszyu wanted the best middleweight in the world and we got him. Jermell Charlo, a former undisputed world champion, is finally making his return and he’s coming to Australia. Liam Wilson gets his redemption shot at a world title on home soil. Every fight on this card matters.”
“Lara vs. Tszyu is a high-stakes world title showdown, with Tim Tszyu looking to make history on home soil,” said Britton Hardin, Head of Boxing, North America at DAZN. “With 18 years in professional boxing, Erislandy Lara’s longevity and continued dominance are a testament to his remarkable career, adding even more significance to this title clash. With Jermell Charlo making his highly anticipated return, this is a stacked card from top to bottom. We’re proud to partner with PBC to bring another must-watch night of boxing to fans worldwide on DAZN.”
Both former champions at 154 pounds who’ve now made their way to middleweight, WBA champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will welcome Australia’s Tim Tszyu to his first 160-pound world title shot as each hope to score a signature victory in this twelve-round showdown. Lara (32-3-3, 19 KOs) has been dominant in his run at 160, showing off his ability to go toe-to-toe and end a fight with one punch, after establishing himself as one of boxing’s best technical fighters throughout the first part of his career. He most recently defended his title against Johan Gonzalez in December after previously delivering one of the best performances of his career as he stopped the durable former two-division world champion Danny Garcia in September 2024. He captured his WBA title with a first-round knockout of Thomas LaManna in May 2021, before KO’ing Gary O’Sullivan and Michael Zerafa. Prior to his middleweight exploits, Lara was the longest reigning 154-pound world champion before he lost a tough split-decision to Jarrett Hurd in a 2018 title unification match that earned “Fight of the Year” from the BWAA. Lara returned from that fight and battled former 154-pound world titleholder Brian Castaño to an exciting draw in another narrow fight that could have gone Lara’s way. He faced a slew of the top 154-pounders in the sport, including Canelo Álvarez, ahead of his middleweight debut.
“I’ve worked my entire life to be in this position, and I’m blessed to have more opportunities like this to be a world champion and defend my title,” said Lara. “Traveling to Australia to fight Tszyu is something I’m really looking forward to. I know he’s a tough fighter, and I respect what he brings to the ring, especially fighting in front of his home fans. But I’ve been in big fights my whole career and I know what it takes to win at this level. I’m grateful to be able to showcase my skills on DAZN in front of boxing fans all around the world, and I’m going to Australia with one goal…to defend my title, put on a great performance and give the fans a fight they’ll remember for a long time.”
The 31-year-old Tszyu (28-3, 18 KOs) will enter this fight off three consecutive victories, including a July triumph over former pound-for-pound great Errol Spence Jr. that saw Tszyu emerge from their clash with a unanimous decision victory. Tszyu’s winning streak has come after two memorable battles against WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian Fundora. Tszyu entered the first Fundora fight off a red-hot 2023 campaign that saw him elevated to world champion at 154-pounds while defeating former world champion Tony Harrison, top contender Brian Mendoza and former title challenger Carlos Ocampo. A native of Sydney, Australia, Tszyu made his U.S debut against U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in March 2022, earning a unanimous decision. Tszyu grew up playing soccer, but soon gravitated toward boxing. The decision led to him following in the legendary footsteps of his father, Kostya, who was an undisputed 140-pound champion.
“This is what I live for. Lara is a great champion and one of the most avoided fighters in the world. That is exactly why I wanted him,” said Tszyu. “Spence was the first step. This is the one that matters. This fight is about legacy. My dad is a Hall of Famer and the greatest fighter this country has produced. Becoming a two-weight world champion is the one thing he never did. That is what I am chasing, and it drives me every single day. Queensland and the Gold Coast have always backed me. I stopped Jeff Horn and defended my world title in Queensland stadiums and crowds and I can’t wait to feel that again. I’m ready to take that belt off Lara on the Gold Coast.”
