Gold Coast triple header as Tszyu goes for two-weight glory

Tim Tszyu will headline a stacked triple-header boxing card at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast.

The 32-year-old will look to become a two-weight world champion when he takes on Cuban-American fighter Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight world title on December 13.

That is one of three all-star fights to take place on the night though, with former undisputed super welterweight world champion Jermell Charlo (35-2-1) stepping into the ring for the first time in three years when he takes on Australian power puncher Brock Jarvis (23-1).

Liam Wilson (18-3) will also meet Elnur Samedov (22-1) for the WBA super featherweight world title.

"This is the biggest and best fight card in Australia, full stop," No Limit Boxing chief executive George Rose said. 

"A reigning world champion, a former undisputed world champion and two world titles, in a stadium on the Gold Coast. Nothing else comes close."

Tszyu (28-3) has enjoyed a career resurgence since stepping up to middleweight, winning his last three fights at the weight following a run of three defeats in four at light middleweight.

The Australian was crowned WBO light middleweight champion on the Gold Coast in 2023, defeating Brian Mendoza after being elevated from interim champion in the lead up.

His last stadium fight took place in Townsville against Jeff Horn in 2020.

"This is what I live for," Tszyu said in a statement. 

"Lara is a great champion and one of the most avoided fighters in the world. That is exactly why I wanted him. Spence was the first step. This is the one that matters.

"Queensland and the Gold Coast have always backed me. 

"I'm ready to take that belt off Lara on the Gold Coast."

Lara (32-3-3), the 43-year-old veteran southpaw, is a two-division world champion and has been the WBA middleweight world champion since 2021.

The former amateur world champion has made four successful defences of the belt, including knocking out Michael Zerafa in two rounds in Las Vegas in 2024.

"Tim Tszyu wanted the best middleweight in the world," Rose said.

"And we got him."

Lara, like Tszyu, has three career defeats, all via the scorecards, losing by majority decision to Paul Williams and split decision defeats to Canelo Álvarez and Jarrett Hurd.

"I'm going to Australia with one goal … to defend my title, put on a great performance and give the fans a fight they'll remember for a long time," Lara said.

Charlo was supposed to fight Tszyu in 2023 before a broken hand scuppered those plans.

The then WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO light middleweight champion had been set to fight Tszyu despite the hand injury, only for him to repeatedly delay and ultimately pull out to face Álvarez at super middleweight instead. 

Charlo famously said fighting Tszyu "does nothing for my career" by way of explanation, however fighting and losing to Álvarez ultimately cost the American all four of his belts, with the 36-year-old looking to restart his career in Australia.

"I've heard all the talk, and now it's time to remind everybody why Jermell Charlo is still him," Charlo said. 

"I'm willing to fight on a co-main event all the way in Australia because that's how hungry I am. I've got so much in me and I wasn't going to let this year end without giving my fans what they've been waiting for."

Jarvis, who has 21 knock out wins in his 24 fights, said his aim was to "ruin" Charlo's comeback.

In the other world title fight, Liam Wilson (18-3), who fought at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018, will meet Azerbaijani fighter Samedov.

Wilson is a two-time world title challenger who came agonisingly close to winning the world title in 2023 and 2024 against Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez respectively.

"I have chased this shot around the world," Wilson said.

"My career hasn't been easy but I've felt the love from fans every step of the way. I have never backed down from anyone and I am not starting now.

"Samedov is the champion. Good. Taking it off the champion means more. 

"I boxed for Australia on the Gold Coast at the Commonwealth Games almost a decade ago. Now, I get the chance to win a world title in the same city. You can't not love that."