Tim Tszyu has received the WBO worldwide middleweight title with a lopsided unanimous factors win over Albanian Denis Nurja.
The Sydneysider’s victory in Wollongong on Sunday saved him on the right track for a mega struggle with American celebrity Errol Spence Jr and one other world title shot.
Tszyu dominated Sunday’s 10-round bout, successful on all three judges’ playing cards by 100-88.
In addition to the WBO worldwide middleweight belt, victory meant Tszyu notched successive wins for the primary time since 2023.
It additionally secured him the WBO No.1 rating in the identical organisation’s junior middleweight rankings.
The WBO champion is Puerto Rican Xander Zayas, who’s booked for a title defence towards American Jaron Ennis in New York subsequent month.
Tszyu (27-3, 18 KOs) landed many extra blows, skilfully switching between the top and the physique.
He dropped Nurja (20-1, 9 KOs) within the fourth spherical and delivered a complete beat down, however could not end the powerful Albanian.
“He is a tricky man,” Tszyu mentioned.
“I had him a few instances, however he simply did not drop.”
A giant reduce opened up underneath Tszyu’s left eye after a head conflict a minute into the fourth spherical and he was set to get it stitched after the struggle.
Simply over a minute later Tszyu dropped Nurja with a left to the top and completed the spherical with a number of extra punches.
Tszyu landed a number of punishing physique photographs within the fifth, as he continued to pile on the strain.
He alternated his assault effectively between physique and head, and at any time when Nurja landed he invariably responded with a number of blows.
Referee Les Worry deducted a degree kind the Albanian within the seventh spherical.
Requested in regards to the mooted match-up with Spence, Tszyu mentioned: “I really feel like I am up for it.”
“Will probably be one hell of a struggle, a banger.
“You understand how I’m; I do not take a backward step
“You already know what they are saying, ‘Catch the large fish’ — let’s go fishing.”
AAP
