Tim Tszyu is already planning his next steps toward the elite of the junior middleweight division after returning to action with a unanimous decision win over Anthony Velazquez in Sydney. Fighting for the first time under new trainer Pedro Diaz, Tszyu dominated on the scorecards but acknowledged that adapting to major changes in his corner will take time as he eyes big fights in early 2026.
The 31-year-old controlled Velazquez over ten rounds at the TikTok Entertainment Centre, earning scores of 100-90, 100-90, and 100-91. While he threatened to stop his opponent during the middle rounds, a severe cut under Velazquez’s eye shifted the bout into survival mode. Despite the clear win, Tszyu and Diaz both recognise that significantly more improvement will be required for him to compete again at the very top of the 154-pound division.
Watch the official fight highlights.
Tszyu’s recent reset followed a turbulent period that included three defeats in four fights, most recently to Sebastian Fundora in July. In response, he overhauled his team, bringing in Diaz, new co-managers Mike Altamura and Darcy Ellis, and advisor Jeff Fenech. Tszyu admitted the transition has been substantial, from training routines to fight-week logistics, but insisted the partnership is deeper than a single fight and already helping him reconnect with his boxing skills.
Despite concerns about decline after a physically demanding career, Tszyu remains ambitious. He spoke openly about wanting to face “the big boys” and even named WBO champion Xander Zayas as a potential target, depending on upcoming unification results. Tszyu plans to spend time training in Miami with Diaz following a short holiday, with hopes of returning to the ring around early 2026.
Image Credit: Getty Images