FORMER unified super-welterweight world champion Tim Tszyu will return to the ring on September 22 in Australia.
The 29-year-old has been out of action since his defeat to Sebastian Fundora on March 30 at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. Fundora, who was set to face Serhii Bohachuk on the undercard for the vacant 154lb WBC strap, stepped in to replace Tszyu’s original opponent Keith Thurman who withdrew because of an injury.
With less than two weeks’ notice Fundora still managed to pull off the upset winning the WBC and WBO world titles by split decision. The loss for Tszyu was made worse by the terrible cut he received in the second round after making contact with Fundora’s elbow. Tszyu’s crimson mask hindered him throughout and the injury prevented his highly anticipated August 3 showdown 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.
The one thing missing from Tszyu’s September date is an opponent. However, FOX Sports Australia boxing commentator Ben Damon posted on X that discussions are ongoing for Tszyu to face American Erickson Lubin. In the current IBF world rankings Lubin and Tszyu are the two highest ranked contenders at number three and four with the top two positions vacant.
Lubin, 28, bounced back from his own defeat to Fundora in 2022 by recording two wins in 2023 against Luis Arias and last time out against Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr, respectively.