On September 22, Tim Tszyu, the ex-unified super-welterweight world champion, will make his comeback to the ring in Australia.
Since his loss to Sebastian Fundora on March 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the 29-year-old has been inactive. Fundora was scheduled to fight Serhii Bohachuk for the vacant 154lb WBC title on the undercard but took Tszyu’s place when Keith Thurman withdrew due to an injury.
Despite having less than a fortnight’s notice, Fundora remarkably secured victory and clinched the WBC and WBO world titles through a split decision. Tszyu’s defeat was compounded by a severe cut he sustained in the second round from an accidental collision with Fundora’s elbow. The crimson mask hindered Tszyu’s performance and ultimately prevented his highly anticipated August 3 bout against Vergil Ortiz Jr in Los Angeles.
Tszyu can now find a way back into world title contention with his September 22 comeback doubling up as an IBF eliminator. Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev is the current IBF super-welterweight world champion having won the vacant strap by 11th round knockout in April against Jack Culcay.
Tszyu’s September date lacks an opponent, but there are ongoing discussions for him to face American boxer Erickson Lubin, according to FOX Sports Australia boxing commentator Ben Damon’s post on X. As per the current IBF world rankings, Lubin and Tszyu hold the third and fourth positions respectively, with the top two spots currently unoccupied.
After his defeat to Fundora in 2022, Lubin, who is 28 years old, made a remarkable comeback in 2023 by securing victories in two consecutive matches. He emerged triumphant against Luis Arias and most recently against Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr.
