Reigning WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara will put his title on the line on Dec. 12 against former junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu in Australia.

The bout, which will take place at Cbus Super Stadium in Queensland, will be the fifth consecutive title defense for the 43-year-old Lara (32-3-3, 19 KOs). It will also be the first time he has fought outside the United States since his second professional fight in 2008.

"I've worked my entire life to be in this position, and I'm blessed to have more opportunities like this to be a world champion and defend my title," said Lara, a native of Cuba. "Travelling to Australia to fight Tszyu is something I'm really looking forward to. I know he's a tough fighter, and I respect what he brings to the ring, especially fighting in front of his home fans. But I've been in big fights my whole career and I know what it takes to win at this level."

Tszyu (28-3, 18 KOs), meanwhile, has been picking up the pieces following a pair of losses to Sebastian Fundora and an upset at the hands of Bakhram Murtazaliev. The son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu has won his past three fights, his most recent being a unanimous victory over Errol Spence Jr., who retired after the fight.

"This is what I live for," Tszyu said. "Lara is a great champion and one of the most avoided fighters in the world. That is exactly why I wanted him. Spence was the first step. This is the one that matters.

"This fight is about legacy. My dad is a Hall of Famer and the greatest fighter this country has produced. Becoming a two-weight world champion is the one thing he never did. That is what I am chasing, and it drives me every single day."

The blockbuster card will also feature former undisputed super welterweight world champion Jermell Charlo, who makes his long-awaited return against Australia's Brock Jarvis.

Another Australian, Liam Wilson, will battle Elnur Samedov for the WBA super featherweight world title.

"We've got a reigning world champion, a former undisputed champion and two world titles in a stadium on the Gold Coast," said Tszyu's promoter, George Rose of No Limit Boxing. "Tim Tszyu wanted the best middleweight in the world and we got him."