Tim Tszyu is on a mission, and it’s not just about winning. It’s about proving himself. His team is actively seeking an opponent who will truly test his mettle, someone who will “push and test and keep him honest.” But here’s the burning question: Can he rediscover his dominance and reclaim his place at the top of the boxing world?
According to his co-manager, Mike Altamura, the primary catalyst for Tszyu’s anticipated return to the ring before the end of 2025 is the positive impact of his new trainer, Pedro Diaz. The 31-year-old junior middleweight has spoken very highly of his time spent with the Cuban trainer in Miami. Tszyu has even expressed hope that a date and opponent for his first fight under Diaz will be confirmed soon.
It’s worth noting that Tszyu’s co-managers, Altamura and Darcy Ellis, along with his advisor Jeff Fenech, had initially advocated for a more patient approach to rebuilding his career. This suggested a longer wait before his return to the ring. But here’s where it gets controversial… Tszyu’s eagerness to fight so soon signals a shift in strategy.
Rumors are swirling around the boxing world about a potential exhibition match between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua. Would Joshua go easy on Paul, or would he use the opportunity to make a statement? This is just an example of the unpredictable nature of the sport and the kinds of opportunities that can arise.
Having settled in with Diaz – after parting ways with his uncle and long-term trainer Igor Goloubev and his manager Glen Jennings – Tszyu is now prioritizing a swift return to competition. Instead of solely focusing on training with Diaz or recovering from a challenging run of three defeats in four fights (which prompted the team shake-up), Tszyu is eager to secure a victory that will pave the way for a successful 2026.
Altamura believes this upcoming fight will not only be a victory for Tszyu, but also a valuable test for him and his relationship with Diaz. It’s about finding the right balance between a winnable fight and a meaningful challenge.
“The first key component was finding a training camp where he felt settled,” Altamura explained. “It’s very challenging to make any future plan when you have a fighter in flux figuring out what the next step is going to be. But in this situation, he clicked really well with Pedro. He already had a good baseline conditioning; he’d maintained his own training, and by the time he got over to train with Pedro in Miami there was sufficient time to be able to back up, so that’s why we’re looking at the possibility of a fight before year end or that timeframe [early in 2026].”
Altamura emphasized the importance of selecting an opponent who can provide a genuine challenge: “The first one back’s going to be a solid opponent, but it’s going to be someone there to push and test him and keep him honest, which is what he needs. You’ll look at it on paper and figure if it’s the best of Tim Tszyu, it’s a fight he handles. You can’t drop the benchmark too low, because you have a pay-per-view to sell – a duty of care to the audience – and he’s an elite fighter, so you can’t forget that and drop a gulf in class, get a few wins and think you’re back. It needs to be opponents at a level that are gonna keep him honest and sharp and on his toes in camp and then, God willing, we’ll see the absolute best on fight night.”
In essence, the plan is to give Tszyu ample time to adapt to his new training environment and ensure he is fully prepared for the right fights at the right time. Altamura acknowledged Tszyu’s market value and name recognition, particularly in Australia, suggesting that a single impressive victory could quickly open doors to major title opportunities and fights against other prominent contenders. The team’s priority is to ensure that Tszyu is fully prepared to seize those opportunities.
“Given the market and name value that he brings in the industry – particularly in Australia – it’ll only take one solid win back before the phone starts ringing with countless offers, whether it’s major-title opportunities or other named fighters or whatever it may be, but it’s our job as a team to ensure that when he gets to those moments the next time he’s 100 per cent well prepared and as sharp as possible to win them, because I believe he has all the tools to be the best redemption story in boxing in 2026.”
Altamura added, “When we talk about patience he’s still a young fighter; there’s still plenty of time. We’re just giving him every opportunity to find his way back and fall in love again with the sport, which he’s in the process of doing in Miami.”
Meanwhile, the landscape of the junior middleweight division continues to evolve. Tszyu’s former opponent, Bakhram Murtazaliev, the IBF champion, is scheduled to defend his title against Josh Kelly on January 31, in a card that also features Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou unifying their WBO and WBA titles. There’s also considerable buzz surrounding a potential matchup between Vergil Ortiz Jnr and Jaron “Boots” Ennis. And this is the part most people miss… The flurry of activity sets up a dynamic environment that Tszyu and other contenders could potentially capitalize on.
However, Altamura downplayed the significance of these other fights in relation to Tszyu’s immediate plans. “The focus for Tim Tszyu needs to be on Tim Tszyu, not where the rest of the division is. It’s about fortifying Tim Tszyu; getting Tim Tszyu back to the fundamentals that saw him ascend to a world championship and putting him in environments where he’s happy and he’s in love with the sport and hungry going to training. That’s where he seems really stimulated.”
He continued, “The process just needs to be on Tim; nothing’s going to work out of a rush on a play on where the rest of the division is. As long as Tim is building back strong and winning, the opportunities are always going to be present for him, based on name value.”
Altamura believes that the change of scenery and training environment in Miami has been exactly what Tszyu needed. “[Working with Diaz in Miami is] the change-up he needed. Maybe things with Tim just got a little bit stale, which they can – we can all get a little stale in life. Sometimes people need something to re-stimulate their thought patterns and their hunger. The fire’s really burning – he’s developed a really great connection with Pedro Diaz. He wholeheartedly believes in what Pedro’s teaching and what Pedro’s piecing together.”
In closing, Altamura expressed his excitement for Tszyu’s return to the ring, particularly in front of his home crowd in Australia. “I’m really looking forward to Tim coming back with a strong performance, especially back home – the Australian public being excited about his career going forward.”
So, what do you think? Is Tim Tszyu on the right track with his new trainer and renewed focus? Will he be able to recapture his championship form? And most importantly, what kind of opponent do you think would provide the perfect test for him in his comeback fight? Share your thoughts in the comments below!