This surprising update comes as plans are heating up for the 31-year-old contender to settle on a date and location for his proposed matchup with former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence in July.

Tszyu (27-3, 18 KOs) spoke with optimism for the future after choosing Miami-based trainer Pedro Diaz in October, having tried out a handful of stateside-based coaches.

Adopting the Cuban style of boxing raised questions about their suitability and whether he was regressing, given Tszyu's aggressive pressure tendencies preceding his unsuccessful Sebastian Fundora rematch in July.

It takes time acclimating to new trainers and the way they work. That Diaz isn't a fluent English speaker didn't help his cause, nor did expensive long-distance travel for Miami camps away from his wife Alexandra help settle matters.

Former three-weight world champion Jeff Fenech, a 2002 International Hall of Fame inductee, has often been vocal about Tszyu's defensive deficiencies and unimpressed with what he felt was an erratic supporting cast.

The 61-year-old originally joined the former champion's team in an advisory role after the previous shakeup, while Mike Altamura and Darcy Ellis were named co-managers.

Now it appears he'll take full control and the pair has reportedly begun some "minor planning sessions" in the past few days before a meeting Friday to discuss him also becoming manager, too.

Fenech has told multiple outlets he's excited to get to work with Tszyu.

"My first job is getting him mentally prepared. The physical part's gonna be easy because Tim's one of the hardest trainers that I've ever seen. If we get him mentally right first, everything will fall into place," he told BoxingScene.

Fenech continued, saying the former champion must watch, break down the film and learn from his two Fundora defeats and the Bakhram Murtazaliev beatdown before sharpening areas where he leaves himself defensively vulnerable.

He named Australian junior welterweight Hass Hamdan (10-0, 3 KOs) as one of Tszyu's incoming sparring partners, while confirming trainer Basil Nassis will help him do pad work every day, among other new team additions.

"Tim asked me to help him and that's all I want to do. We'll go into camp and work, he'll come out a completely different person," he told Ahmad Elhawli of Raw Sports Media.

Although Spence hasn't boxed for three years, worldwide acclaim remains for the former long-reigning world champion. Fenech was complimentary of the 36-year-old, training with Ronnie Shields.

"Errol is one of the best fighters of the last decade, something truly special. I think this is a huge test for Tim because he's wanted this, and for him to take it, especially after his [three] losses, it says so much about his character, instinct. It's going to be very interesting, one of the most exciting fights in Australia for many years."

Reports this week claim the Queensland government has held talks with Tszyu's promoter, No Limit, looking to stage the country's biggest boxing event since Jeff Horn upset Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium in July 2017.

Cbus Super Stadium, a 27,000-capacity venue on the Gold Coast has been named as a potential landing spot, should it manage to win hosting rights.