Finally, one of the biggest fights in Australian boxing has arrived.
Tszyu v Spence Jr. | Sunday July 26 from 11am AEST | Tim Tszyu takes on the biggest name in his career so far – future hall-of-famer Errol Spence Jr, in a can’t miss event for boxing fans around the world. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
After months of hype, hope and a couple brushed handshakes, Australia’s Tim Tszyu is finally ready to throw down against American superstar Errol Spence Jnr at Afterpay Arena this Sunday.
For both fighters, the ramifications of this one are huge.
And below, Fox Sports Australia provides an Ultimate Guide on the event
TWO SENTENCES TO EXPLAIN THIS FIGHT …
Imagine sitting on the cusp of oblivion knowing one win, against one man, can bring you all the way back. Truly, this is the situation for both Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence … who also just happen to be making bagfuls of cash in Sunday’s ultimate ‘Loser Leaves Town’ gunfight.
WHY IS ERROL SPENCE HERE?
After three years out of boxing, and coming off a brutal loss to Terence Crawford, ‘The Truth’ is looking for a way back into a couple of big fights before calling time on one of the modern era’s great careers. “And he sees me as a tune up,” Tszyu said this week. “Honestly, with the arrogance this guy has, he really does see me as a warm up fight for what’s next.” Elsewhere, the American superstar has also suggested he is earning “millions” from the biggest domestic headliner even stage by promoters, No Limit.
Fenech’s blueprint to beating Spence Jr. | 05:05
WHY IS TIM TSZYU HERE?
Having now dropped three consecutive world title fights, and been brutally stopped in two of them, Tszyu knows Spence is his sole pathway back into those biggest fights, and paydays, he initially seemed destined for. Put simply, this Tszyu’s shortest path back to the top. But in no way is it the easiest. “Of course, everyone says the biggest question is which Spence turns up Sunday,” Tszyu grinned. “But I don’t care. Doesn’t matter what Errol Spence shows up, I’m beating him. I know nobody expects me to win. But I’m going to hit him with shots that shock him. Have him saying ‘oh, f***’ …”
SO AS FOR WHICH ERROL SPENCE REALLY IS TURNING UP SUNDAY?
Good question. And really, only the American superstar truly knows, especially given the limited footage we’ve seen of him since this fight was announced. “But the videos that are coming out now,” former world champ Chris Algieri said this week, “they’re giving me a lot of positive thoughts. This guy looks good again. When I first saw some of the comeback footage, I thought ‘this guy doesn’t look good at all’. His balance doesn’t look good, he looks slow, heavy footed. But what I’ve seen from him in Australia? I’m like, that looks like the Spence of old …”
IF YOU WANT A CRACKIN’ PREDICTION, HOW ABOUT …
Liam Paro, Australia’s newest world. Speaking with The Punch Podcast on Saturday, Paro said: “I’m hoping Tim stamps his authority early and catches him. We know he’s got the power. He’s got the great Jeff Fenech in his corner so I think he’s going to shoot out of the gates and surprises Spence. I’m going to say inside three … my money is on that.” Australian great Danny Green made a similar prediction on the same channel, saying: “I do think a stoppage. And think Tim Tszyu can do this job and believe he’s going to stop him early, And he’s got to jump on Errol Spence Jnr early. He can’t let Spence’s train start chugging. If that locomotive leaves the station and starts steaming, it will be difficult.”
“This is the biggest test of my life” | 08:18
WHO HAS MORE TO LOSE?
Tim Tszyu. Understanding that if the longtime Australian poster boy loses this fight, his time on the world stage is almost certainly over. Of course, there will still be solid fights, and paydays, for him on home soil. And at some point, you’d have to think a fight gets made with Michael Zerafa, who is now signed with Eddie Hearn. For Spence meanwhile, a loss here doesn’t change his incredible legacy. At his peak, this bloke sat among the pound for pound elite, with his only loss being to Crawford, Nothing can ever tarnish that, even if he loses Sunday.
IF TSZYU WINS HE’S GOING …
Back to Las Vegas, baby. Understanding that while nobody is sure exactly what Spence will be walking out into Afterpay Arena this Sunday, simply earning his scalp will be enough to make Tszyu a big draw again Stateside.
Already, there has been talk of Tszyu, in victory, finally getting his showdown with Jermell Charlo – who has himself been out three years. Another option could be chasing gold against Lara. While Tszyu isn’t ranked as a middleweight currently, a win over Spence, coupled with a few backroom meetings, should absolutely be enough to get him into the top 15 and a potential showdown against the champ.
Tszyu v Spence Jr. | Sunday July 26 from 11am AEST | Tim Tszyu takes on the biggest name in his career so far – future hall-of-famer Errol Spence Jr, in a can’t miss event for boxing fans around the world. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
“I’m from Texas, bro”: Errol stands tall | 07:40
WHAT ROLE WILL JEFF FENECH PLAY?
Rather than completely overhauling Tszyu’s style, Fenech’s role this camp has been to reignite that confidence his new charge carried through his unforgettable roll in 2023 – where he earned a WBO title, global recognition and that famed ‘Soul Taker’ moniker.
As a result, Fenech has gone heavy with domestic sparring partners, ensuring Tszyu comes into Sunday confident, fresh and improved — having worked on some defensive tweaks while also throwing with more volume.
Fenech also hailed Tszyu’s new power at 160 pounds, convinced the famed son of Kostya Tszyu is now punching as hard as his Hall of Fame father. “I’ve sparred his dad, trained with his dad … and this kid can punch every bit as hard,” Fenech told us this week. “And I don’t like bringing up Kostya. But what I’m trying to say is, this kid can really punch.”
Importantly, Tszyu has also freed himself of all the outside noise carried into his past two fights, and is also far healthy physically than his last major outing against Sebastian Fundora, which he took despite suffering sever inflammation in his hips.
WHO IS ADVANTAGED MOST BY THE WEIGHT CHANGE?
Really all depends on who you talk to. With some like American great Antonio Tarver saying the late shift to 160 pounds absolutely benefits Tszyu, while former world champ Paulie Malignaggi has questioned if the Aussie superstar has the power, or chin, to exceed a division up. Of course, the same questions exist for Spence, whose own famed reign occurred two divisions lighter as a welterweight. The whisper has always been however that during his time at the top, Spence would regularly spar against light heavyweights, even cruiserweights … and punish ‘em.
As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia, Team Spence threw a late twist into Sunday’s headliner by demanding the fight take place at the middleweight limit of 160 pounds – or two pounds heavier than the previously agreed catchweight.
While Spence previously starred two divisions lighter, he has since attributed the poor Crawford performance, in part, to a tough weight cut and will also naturally be heavier again after his time out. Regardless, Tszyu has revealed this week he is now moving to middleweight permanently – with a world title shot against WBA champ Erislandy Lara a chance if he wins.
START TIME: Everything you need to know ahead of Tim Tszyu’s blockbuster showdown with Errol Spence Jr.
Tszyu & Spence Jr. go face-to-face | 01:11
WHAT ARE THE BOOKINGS SAYING?
Wonderfully, they’re as unsure as everyone else. Earlier this week, the TAB had Tszyu the slight betting favourite in what effectively remains a pick ‘em fight. Now however, those odds have flipped, with Spence in to $1.75 and Tszyu wound out to better than even money, at $2.05.
Across the way at Sportsbet, Spence is $1.77 favourite, while Tszyu is $2.20. And when it comes to how the fight will play, few are tipping this one to go the distance, with A Spence KO the shortest price in ‘Method of Victory’ markets, followed by a Tszyu KO.
One man backing Spence is US great Shawn Porter, who is also Down Under and working the broadcast for Main Event Australia. “This fight, stylistically, is better for Spence than it is for Tszyu,” he said this week. “Tim, for me, is too flat-footed. When you’re flat-footed, that takes away from your hand speed. He likes to punch in combinations but, along with that, he’s always kept his head on [centreline].”
WHO ELSE CAN WIN BIG ON SUNDAY?
Obviously, it was supposed to be Liam Wilson, who was initially slated for that WBA super featherweight eliminator until Stephen Fulton demanded a catchweight, then missed that … and by six pounds. Unsurprisingly, the fight has now been scrapped.
As a result, the biggest undercard winner could be unbeaten lightweight Ahmad Reda, who will be looking to announce himself in the new co-main against Paul Fleming. Special mention also to hyped Australian middleweight prospect Callum Peters. A win on Sunday and Peters has already told us he wants to fight again as soon as August, on the undercard of Nikita Tszyu’s next headliner.
And as for an opponent? One option might be an all-Australian showdown with Koen Mazoudier, who was robbed of a shot at American superstar Jermall Charlo this Sunday, due to the Texan being stranded Stateside due to visa issues.
MORE TSZYU v SPENCE
‘BRING THE F***ING MONSTER’: Tszyu accuses Spence of $20m cash grab as American star no-shows
HISTORY: Inside the night Tszyu rocked the US… and truth behind cocky rival’s all-time meltdown
‘BEEN A LOT OF BLOOD… NOT MINE’: Inside Tszyu sparring sessions as startling details emerge
Tszyu sends Spence warning | 02:32
ELSEWHERE ON THE UNDERCARD, KEEP AN EYE ON …
The walkout of Australian lightweight favourite, and proud indigenous fighter, Paul ‘Showtime’ Fleming. Now 38, Fleming will have three of his seven children joining in what has become something of a signature for his fights. Speaking with us this week, Fleming also heaped praise on Errol Spence for investing so heavily in indigenous culture during his time here and urged him to also carry the Aboriginal flag to the ring, as has been mentioned.
FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA PREDICTIONS
James Cooney – Tszyu TKO R5
This is a tough one to pick, but I’m leaning towards Tim Tszyu getting the stoppage. I think he’s the hungrier fighter, he’s looked sharp throughout camp and appears to be in tip-top shape. Spence is one of the best fighters of his generation, but three years out of the ring is a looong time.
Nick Walshaw – Tszyu TKO R8
Obviously, you don’t get better at something by not doing it, and we’re tipping this latest version of Tim Tszyu – looking to make one more run at greatness — will find the levels required to outwork a rival who has made millions, been out three years and knows a loss doesn’t impact his legacy in the slightest. Reckon the move to 160 pounds also favours Tszyu more than the former welterweight king.
HOW DO I WATCH?
The Tszyu/Spence preliminaries will be screened live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports from 9am. The main card will be screened live and exclusive on Main Event and Kayo Sports from 11am.
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