Tszyu begins his 2026 against Albania's unbeaten hopeful Denis Nurja on April 5 at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, Australia as a mooted summer bout with Errol Spence remains in the pipeline.

Tszyu, rated No. 7 by the WBC and No. 8 with the IBF at 154 pounds, is taking on the WBA's No. 12-ranked contender in a 157-pound catchweight clash.

Former IBF junior middleweight world champion Tszyu (26-3, 18 KOs) made his debut under Miami-based trainer Pedro Diaz with a comfortable but workmanlike 10-round points win over Anthony Velasquez on December 17.

After this, the 31-year-old doubled down on wanting to remain active after a difficult career spell saw him lose thrice in 17 months, contemplate his sporting future and question his abilities among world-class opposition.

Italy-based Nurja (20-0, 8 KOs) )has never been beyond six rounds in his eight-year career, and this opportunity marks only his third scheduled 10-round contest. Tszyu believes his agemate's resume can deceive detractors.

"He presents a challenge, big amateur pedigree, eight national titles, fought at the world championships at IBA level. He's been in there and mixed it with a lot of great fighters, so I'm motivated, inspired and focused," he told Fox Sports Australia.

"I am 20-0 for a reason and did not build that record by playing it safe. People are talking about Tim's comeback but I am the one standing in-front of him. I respect what he has done in the sport but believe this is my moment, I am coming to Australia to win," Nurja said in a press release.

During a livestream announcing the fight on their social platforms, No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose said fans will see an improved version of Tszyu as he grows more accustomed to life training away from home comforts in Miami.

"This is his second training camp with his new team, we'll see even more growth. We saw glimpses in the previous fight, you'll see even more now, all that time in Miami enjoying the life but really working hard while he's there, I think we'll see where he's headed to, as he heads down the path to becoming a world champion all over again."

In a press release, the 42-year-old repeated the old adage fight fans know too well.

"This is a massive statement for Australian boxing. Tim is one of the sport's biggest stars and there are massive opportunities ahead for him, but none of that happens if he doesn't get through Denis Nurja."

"Nurja is 20-0, ranked number 12 in the world and he's dangerous. Most fighters are looking for the easy way to their next fight, but that's never been Tim Tszyu. It's a massive risk, but that's why fight fans love him."

Elsewhere on the bill, one-time WBA featherweight world title challenger Sam Goodman (21-1, 8 KOs) faces a tricky test with an IBF junior featherweight title eliminator against Rodrigo Ruiz (23-1, 17 KOs) at his natural weight.

Former rugby league player Nelson Asofa-Solomona (1-0, 1 KO) is back once more after a first-round finish of Jeremy Latimore on the Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa undercard, facing fellow ex-pro Jarrod Wallace.

Adelaide middleweight Callum Peters (5-0, 5 KOs) and Sydney lightweight Ahmad Reda (8-0, 6 KOs) are among those slated for action as their stock steadily grows, while Charlie Kazzi-Blair Geraghty pits unbeaten youngsters together at junior welterweight on a busy undercard.