Tim Tszyu to Challenge Erislandy Lara for WBA Middleweight Title

Tim Tszyu will get his shot at Erislandy Lara and the WBA middleweight title on home soil. Tszyu's promoter, No Limit Boxing, confirmed on Tuesday that the championship fight will take place in Australia, although no date or venue has been announced and no further details were released.

The matchup first surfaced in reports in September, when it was suggested the fight could take place before Christmas. The confirmation turns that report into an agreed bout. Tszyu, a former WBO super welterweight champion with a 28-3 record and 18 knockouts, will be trying to win a title in a second weight class, while Lara, at 32-3-3 with 19 knockouts, will be making the fifth defence of his belt.

Where both fighters stand

Tszyu, 31, was last in action in July in Sydney, where he beat Errol Spence Jr. by unanimous decision for his third straight victory. Lara, a two-division champion, is now 43 and has not fought since last December, when he outpointed Johan Gonzalez to make the fourth successful defence of his title.

Tszyu spoke about the weight of carrying his family name and called the fight the legacy-defining moment of his career. He described Lara as a great, slick and clever champion who will try to turn the bout into a chess match, but said he has never chosen the easy road. "I want the man with the belt, and I'll drag him into a fight he doesn't want," he said.

Settled at 160

The Australian also made it clear that he sees his future at middleweight, saying he feels strong, sharp and dangerous at 160 pounds. "Middleweight is my division now," he said, describing the Spence win as only a starting point. Tszyu credited Jeff Fenech, who is in his corner, for guiding him through the challenge of winning titles in more than one weight class, and noted that fellow Australian Liam Paro had already achieved a major title win this year, insisting that now it is his turn.