Jeff Horn and Tim Tszyu agree to terms for all-Aussie showdown in April

Jeff Horn 20-2-1 (13) and Tim Tszyu 15-0 (11) have agreed to terms for an April clash that will determine the number one boxer in Australia.

After protracted negotiations that saw jostling over the number of rounds, the purse split and a rematch clause, both sides reached an agreement over the weekend. Horn is expected to receive a 60-40 revenue split in their junior middleweight showdown. There is no rematch clause.

Although no location has yet been confirmed, it’s believed that Brisbane is the frontrunner with Sydney, Townsville and Perth also in the race.

“I have a lot of respect for Tim Tszyu, and what his dad did in the past,” Horn told The Main Event Boxing Podcast.

“But it definitely comes down to business and I’m in there to beat Tim Tszyu.”

Former WBO welterweight champion Horn, 31, was last in action in December when he reversed his ninth-round knockout loss to Michael Zerafa with a majority decision win over 10 frames.

IBF number seven and WBO number nine ranked 154-pound contender Tszyu had a breakthrough year in 2019, defeating former Commonwealth champion Denton Vassell, Australian champion Joel Camilleri, world-rated Dwight Ritchie and entertaining brawler Jack Brubaker.

Horn represents another step up in competition for the 25-year-old Tszyu.

“It’s my opportunity,” Tszyu said. “It’s the best position that I want to be at, and I know this [fight] is the one.

“This is what I was born for. I’ve been fighting my whole life for this particular moment.

“I want to test him. I know I can [dig deep].

“Yes, he’s fought some of the greats, but I believe I can bring him into those trenches and test him in a way he’s already been tested, and in a way he won’t be able to survive.”

Tszyu, the son of former undisputed junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu, said he will approach the Horn fight just like any other bout.

“This fight is like every fight of mine,” he said. “I’m going to take it seriously and again, it’s just one step at a time.

“Jeff Horn’s just another name on the list.”