‘Prime Time Tim’: Tsyzu set to become most-watched Australian fighter ever as part of NRL Vegas bout

Tim Tsyzu is set to become Australia’s most-watched fighter, with talks under way to screen a fight in Australia and America on the same weekend as the NRL’s round one junket to Las Vegas.

Tim Tszyu is set to become the most watched fighter in Australian boxing history as part of an NRL sporting bonanza in Las Vegas that could launch the world champion to more than 200 million Americans.

This masthead can reveal talks are under way for Tszyu to be screened in Australia and America via a landmark streaming-rights deal with Amazon Prime on the same weekend as the NRL’s 2024 season kick-off in Las Vegas.

An NRL delegation is currently in Sin City to promote the historic American double header between the Broncos and Roosters and Souths and Manly on March 2 next year.

As part of the NRL’s ‘Australia Week’ festivities, ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys is keen to stage boxing and UFC events and Tszyu’s promoters No Limit have ramped-up discussions to make the unbeaten Sydneysider a global hit in the States.

Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings said the ‘Soul Taker’s’ next opponent is a proposed blockbuster with American world-title challenger Erickson Lubin (26-2, 18KO).

Lubin, ranked No. 3 with the IBF and No. 4 with the WBO, is linked with American promotional powerhouse Premier Boxing Champions, who last week signed a lucrative new streaming-rights deal with Amazon Prime.

A Tszyu-Lubin showdown would be simulcast on Fox Sports and globally via Amazon _ opening up Australia’s WBO super welterweight king to the network’s subscription membership of 200 million.

Jennings said Tszyu (24-0) is about to hit the big time in America after his disposal of Brian Mendoza on the Gold Coast in October and remains hopeful the son of Kostya will headline the NRL’s sporting bonanza in Vegas.

“What better way to launch Tim into America than as part of the NRL’s historic double header in Vegas?” Jennings said.

Tim Tszyu is slated to become the most-watched Australian fighter in history if he lines up in a bout as part of the NRL’s opening weekend in Las Vegas. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Right now, Erickson Lubin is firming as the favourite (to fight Tszyu) for that March NRL weekend.

“It would be a cracking fight and a great launch pad for Tim Tszyu going to America.

“If the fight goes ahead on that weekend, Tim would be screened here in Australia on Main Event and in America via Amazon … they have (200) million subscribers so this would be a massive audience for Tim.

“Nothing is locked in at the moment, but we’re looking at Erickson Lubin for Tim, he is at the forefront of our plans for his next fight in America.”

The NRL is in discussions with No Limit, who are hopeful of pulling off a unique event that would see an Australia versus America teams format, with the Tszyu brothers, Tim and Nikita, leading the green-and-gold charge.

The twin-nation fight night would be a precursor to the NRL’s double header at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas.

No Limit is racing the clock to broker a Tszyu-Lubin world-title fight on the same weekend as the NRL’s Vegas venture, but Jennings is keen for a team of Australian fighters to take on the Americans.

“It (Tszyu fighting in Vegas in March) is not unlikely at all,” Jennings said.

“We are waiting on one phone call and if it comes off it will be really exciting news, because it would mean a few of the Aussie boys getting an opportunity to fight in Vegas.

“Matty Rose (No Limit boss) has worked non-stop over the last month on trying to get this fight card over the line for the NRL weekend in Vegas.

“There is so much going on with Tim. We’re still in discussions with Errol Spence’s team, and of course there’s Jermell Charlo if we can find him, but Lubin is a name we have identified.

“For me, Australian boxing is on such a high, so it would be wonderful to see an Australian team on the American stage.

“If it comes off, we will probably take Tim, Nikita, Liam Wilson, Sammy Goodman and another fighter or two.

“No Limit now has a terrific stable of fighters and I will be pushing to take as many fighters as I can to Vegas.

“It would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, they would come home better fighters.

“If the Vegas experience doesn’t happen, it won’t be through any lack of trying, but I hope it comes off.”

Originally published as ‘Prime Time Tim’: Tsyzu set to become most-watched Australian fighter ever as part of NRL Vegas bout