Nurja, a 31-year-old from Albania, enters with an unbeaten record but little experience against recognized contenders. The WBA lists him because the #12 contender at 154 kilos. His recent fights have taken place in Tirana against modest opposition. During 2025 he outpointed a 4-4-4 opponent over six rounds, stopped Kiryl Samadurau (13-3) in five, and won a six-round decision over Refik Tarhan (8-4). In February, he stopped Jose Gregorio Marcano (17-13-1) within the opening round.
Nurja welcomed the possibility to face the Australian former champion.
“I’m 20-0 for a reason, and I didn’t construct that record by playing it protected,” Nurja said in a press release. “That is the most important opportunity of my profession, and I’m ready for it. Persons are talking about Tim’s comeback, but I’m the one standing in front of him. I respect what he has done in the game, but I imagine that is my moment. I’m coming to Australia to win.”
Tszyu (26-3, 18 KOs), also 31, has been working to rebuild after a difficult run that ended his stay near the highest of the junior middleweight division. His WBO title reign led to March 2024 when he lost a bloody split decision to Sebastian Fundora. A deep cut on his scalp caused heavy bleeding through the bout and compelled him to fight through much of the night with impaired vision.
The defeat was followed by a good tougher setback. Tszyu was stopped in three rounds by Bakhram Murtazaliev in October 2024 for the IBF title. He later returned with a fourth-round stoppage of Joey Spencer before signing for a rematch with Fundora for the WBC belt. That fight ended after seven rounds when Tszyu remained in his corner.
His most up-to-date fight got here in December, when he won a large decision over the previously unbeaten Anthony Velazquez (18-0-1).
Tszyu stays ranked in multiple divisions. The WBC lists him at #7 and the IBF at #8 at junior middleweight, while the WBO lists him #3 at middleweight.
A possible fight with Errol Spence Jr. (28-1, 22 KOs) has been mentioned for later this 12 months if Tszyu continues to win. Spence has not fought since July 2023, when Terence Crawford stopped him in nine rounds to win the undisputed welterweight championship.
Tszyu said his attention stays on the upcoming fight.
“There are some massive opportunities ahead, but none of that matters unless I get through this fight,” Tszyu said. “My full focus is on Easter Sunday and the job in front of me. I would like to get back to the highest of the division and fight for world titles again, and this is step one.”
Tszyu is predicted to enter the fight as a transparent favorite, but his recent results leave little room for error if he desires to work his way back into major title opportunities.