Australian boxer Tim Tszyu secured a unanimous points win over Albania's Denis Nurja on Sunday, claiming the WBO International middleweight title and the number one ranking. The 31-year-old Sydneysider dominated the 10-round bout at the WIN Entertainment Centre, with all three judges scoring it 100-88.
In the fourth round, Tszyu suffered a cut under his left eye but responded by dropping Nurja with a left to the head. Nurja, who was deducted a point, endured heavy punishment throughout the fight. Tszyu required six stitches for the wound but dismissed it as 'just a scratch.'
Tszyu's victory sets up a potential fight with former IBF and WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr., who has not fought in three years since losing to Terence Crawford. Tszyu called out Spence, saying, 'He's 36, grandpa time is approaching. It's a great time to take him.'
Spence responded on social media, and Tszyu fired back, noting Spence has been inactive. 'At least I'm fighting and keeping myself active. The guy has been on the couch for three or four years. He can't talk,' Tszyu said.
On the undercard, Wollongong's Sam Goodman won his IBF super bantamweight world title eliminator against Rodrigo Ruiz, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona scored a TKO over Jarrod Wallace. Paulo Aokuso and Callum Peters also recorded quick stoppage wins.
