Tim Tszyu has secured the most significant fight of his career, taking on former unified welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr, with the verbal sparring between the two already reaching intense levels.
Fight Details
Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) and Tszyu (25-3, 18 KOs) will face off on Sunday, July 26, in an Australian city yet to be announced. The American superstar is returning to the ring for the first time since his loss to Terence Crawford nearly three years ago, while Tszyu aims to keep his unbeaten record intact on home soil.
The bout was announced at a heated media conference in Las Vegas after months of negotiations, including a late stand-off before settling on a catchweight of 158 pounds (71.67kg). There was no love lost between the two fighters.
Handshake Snub Sparks Fury
Tszyu revealed that the 36-year-old Spence refused to shake his hand when they initially met backstage before the cameras rolled. “I came up to him before and tried to shake his hand — he just walked past me like a disrespectful f***,” Tszyu said. “That just shows the type of person he is.”
Spence responded: “I don’t play no games, bro. I don’t dap up people talking s*** then saying, ‘Hey, buddy, buddy.’ You wanted to give me a hug, we can hug after the fight.”
Tszyu’s ‘Julio Cesar Chavez Moment’
Tszyu, 31, likened the showdown to his father Kostya Tszyu’s world title win over Mexican champion Julio Cesar Chavez in 2000. “Back in the day, my dad fought Julio Cesar Chavez, and growing up, he used to think of Julio Cesar Chavez as the number one guy, and my dad got to fight him and beat him,” Tszyu said. “I grew up watching Errol Spence and now I get to fight him. This is my Julio Cesar Chavez moment.”
Spence dismissed the comparison, saying the Sydneysider wasn’t in the same class as his legendary father. “I think that’s cute. It ain’t what this is — this is Errol Spence versus Tim Tszyu. He’s no calibre of his daddy, he can’t even compare himself to his pops. He’s fighting me trying to get out of his daddy’s shadow.”
Tszyu’s Determination
Coming off back-to-back wins, including a dominant performance over Denis Nurja, Tszyu said he intended to use this long-awaited opportunity to cement his place back at the top of the division. “They call him ‘The Truth’, the ‘Big Fish’. I’ve always said I’m hunting the biggest fights and biggest names and now I’ve got one right in front of me. While he’s been staying away, I’ve been in the fire. I’ve taken my hits, I’ve learned the hard way, and I know I’ve come back better. I’m ready to retire him.”
Spence was ringside in 2024 when an unbeaten Tszyu took on Sebastian Fundora, before a stray elbow opened a horrific cut on the Australian’s head, leading to a split-decision loss.
Spence’s Home Turf Threat
Spence said he would take extra “gratification” beating Tszyu in his own backyard. “I look forward to looking up after the fight and seeing how everyone has left the arena because they were disappointed. I don’t know if it’s just some type of sick gratification but to fight someone in their hometown, and beat him in front of I don’t know how many fans ... that’s going to be a great moment.”
