Errol Spence Jr will try and reply one among boxing’s greatest comeback questions when he faces Tim Tszyu in Sydney this weekend.
The previous unified welterweight champion has not competed since Terence Crawford stopped him within the ninth spherical of their undisputed title struggle in July 2023. Nearly three years later, Spence is returning and not using a warm-up contest in opposition to a youthful, naturally larger opponent.
Tszyu has additionally reached a decisive level in his profession. The Australian has rebuilt with two consecutive victories, however damaging defeats to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev stay recent sufficient to lift questions on his sturdiness at elite degree.
Their assembly will happen at a 158lb catchweight, two kilos beneath the total middleweight restrict. That element may show essential. Tszyu has spent most of his profession at super-welterweight, whereas Spence constructed his fame 4 kilos decrease at welterweight.
The end result could resolve whether or not Spence can start a critical second chapter or whether or not Tszyu can return to the world-title image.
When is Errol Spence Jr v Tim Tszyu?
Spence and Tszyu are scheduled to satisfy on the Afterpay Area in Sydney, Australia.
The principle card begins at 2am BST on Sunday, 26 July for viewers in the UK. The principle-event ring walks are anticipated at roughly 4.30am, though that point will rely on the size of the undercard contests.
The occasion is listed for Saturday, 25 July in the US due to the worldwide time distinction. It takes place through the daytime on Sunday in Sydney.
UK viewers can watch by means of DAZN pay-per-view. The occasion has been marketed at £24.99 for normal subscribers, whereas DAZN Final members can watch it as a part of their membership. The preliminaries start at midnight BST.
Full broadcast and card data is accessible by means of the official PBC struggle web page and DAZN’s UK viewing information.
| Battle element | Errol Spence Jr | Tim Tszyu |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled file | 28 wins, one defeat, 22 knockouts | 27 wins, three defeats, 18 knockouts |
| Age | 36 | 31 |
| Stance | Southpaw | Orthodox |
| Top | 5ft 9½in | 5ft 8½in |
| Attain | 72in | 70½in |
| Contracted weight | 158lb catchweight | 158lb catchweight |
The official PBC itemizing provides Spence a 28–1 file with 22 stoppages and Tszyu a 27–3 file with 18. Spence additionally holds slight benefits in peak and attain, though Tszyu is the extra established fighter on the heavier weights.
Readers unfamiliar with the distinction between welterweight, super-welterweight and middleweight can use World in Sport’s boxing weight courses defined information.
What does Spence have left after three years out?
Spence was one among boxing’s most reliable elite fighters earlier than the Crawford defeat.
He defeated Kell Brook to win the IBF welterweight title in Sheffield earlier than including main victories over Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Yordenis Ugas. His strain, correct southpaw jab and punishing physique combos made him tough to outwork or discourage.
Spence not often relied on one spectacular punch. As an alternative, he broke opponents down by means of place, self-discipline and sustained strain.
That model of Spence would current critical issues for Tszyu. He may use his jab to interrupt the Australian’s ahead motion, step exterior Tszyu’s lead foot and create angles for the straight left hand.
The priority is whether or not that fighter nonetheless exists.
Spence is now 36 and has not accomplished a aggressive spherical since Crawford dominated him. He should additionally transfer above the welterweight division during which he produced his finest performances.
Boxers typically talk about recreating the depth of a struggle by means of sparring. Nevertheless, even the toughest health club classes can not absolutely reproduce the timing, strain and decision-making required beneath the lights.
Spence could look sharp for the opening rounds. The larger check will arrive when Tszyu forces him to struggle at a sustained tempo.
World in Sport’s Terence Crawford profession profile offers extra context on the one fighter to defeat Spence professionally.
Why Tszyu can not afford one other main defeat
Tszyu enters with newer exercise but in addition carries his personal doubts.
The previous WBO super-welterweight champion misplaced his unbeaten file in opposition to Fundora in March 2024. An unintentional lower contributed to a tough evening, however Murtazaliev then overwhelmed him inside three rounds later that yr.
Tszyu returned with a stoppage victory over Joey Spencer in April 2025 earlier than shedding his rematch with Fundora. He has since recorded choice wins over Anthony Velazquez and the beforehand unbeaten Denis Nurja.
The Nurja victory took Tszyu’s file to 27–3. All three judges scored the 10-round contest 100–88, though Tszyu suffered one other lower through the struggle.
These comeback wins restored some stability, however neither opponent carried Spence’s expertise or technical skill.
Tszyu subsequently faces an uncommon type of strain. He’s youthful, combating at dwelling and has been much more energetic, but he’ll stand reverse essentially the most completed opponent of his profession.
Victory would place him again among the many main names between super-welterweight and middleweight. Defeat, notably in opposition to a boxer getting back from such an extended absence, would make one other world-title run tough to construct.
Tszyu has spent his profession coping with comparisons to his father. World in Sport’s take a look at Kostya Tszyu’s profession and legacy explains the championship commonplace in opposition to which the youthful Tszyu has typically been judged.
How the types match up
The distinction between the fighters make the competition compelling.
Spence prefers to regulate distance together with his jab earlier than stepping ahead behind compact combos. He assaults the physique effectively, not often wastes motion and might flip opponents in direction of his stronger left hand.
Tszyu applies extra direct strain. He seems to be to shut the gap, maintain his floor and create alternatives for the proper hand. He’s notably harmful when opponents retreat in straight traces or stay in opposition to the ropes.
The early battle for ring place will reveal lots.
Tszyu can not afford to observe Spence with out reducing off the ring. If he permits the American to maneuver laterally and set up his jab, the opening rounds may change into irritating.
Spence should keep away from spending an excessive amount of time inside Tszyu’s punching vary. The Australian is of course comfy carrying extra weight and may have the bodily benefit in extended exchanges.
Tszyu will in all probability goal the physique from the beginning. Making Spence work, lean and take up punches may expose the results of his lengthy absence because the struggle develops.
Spence, in the meantime, ought to check Tszyu’s defence with straight punches by means of the centre. Fundora and Murtazaliev each discovered methods to disrupt Tszyu when exchanges grew to become chaotic. Spence’s finest route could contain holding the motion managed fairly than trying to match Tszyu punch for punch.
For a breakdown of knockdowns, stoppages and judges’ choices, learn World in Sport’s boxing guidelines and scoring information.
The 158lb catchweight may favour Tszyu
The contracted weight removes the standard pressure of constructing the 154lb super-welterweight restrict, however it might additionally scale back one among Spence’s former benefits.
At welterweight, Spence mixed measurement with talent. He was typically the stronger man and will pressure opponents backwards after establishing his jab.
He is not going to get pleasure from the identical bodily edge in opposition to Tszyu.
Tszyu has already competed across the middleweight restrict throughout his rebuilding interval. He ought to arrive comfy with the extra weight and assured that he can take up Spence’s punches.
Spence could profit from now not having to achieve 147lb, notably after such an extended lay-off. The query is whether or not the added weight helps his energy or slows the reactions and work price that when separated him from different welterweights.
The opening rounds could favour Spence technically. The second half may favour Tszyu bodily.
What’s at stake for each fighters?
No recognised world championship shall be on the road, however the end result may reshape two careers.
Spence must show that the Crawford defeat and subsequent absence didn’t shut his time on the highest degree. A convincing victory would create alternatives in opposition to champions and contenders at super-welterweight or middleweight.
A poor efficiency may result in retirement questions.
Tszyu wants a defining victory after a tough interval. Beating Spence would stay vital whatever the American’s inactivity due to the previous champion’s achievements and fame.
It could additionally give Tszyu the strongest win of his profession and restore a lot of the momentum misplaced throughout his defeats.
Followers can observe additional developments by means of World in Sport’s boxing protection.
Errol Spence Jr v Tim Tszyu prediction
Spence is the extra full boxer at his finest. His jab, physique work and skill to take care of strain with out shedding his form are all able to troubling Tszyu.
The prediction will depend on whether or not he can reproduce these qualities after virtually three years away.
Tszyu has fought seven instances since Spence final entered the ring. He’s youthful, naturally larger and can compete in entrance of a house crowd. He also needs to really feel extra comfy as the competition turns into bodily.
Spence could win a number of of the early rounds by boxing at distance. Nevertheless, Tszyu is more likely to improve the strain as soon as he reads the timing of the southpaw jab.
The Australian should stay disciplined. Charging ahead carelessly would permit Spence to land straight left arms and physique photographs. Affected person strain ought to produce higher outcomes.
Tszyu’s exercise and energy at 158lb make him the safer selection, though writing off a former unified champion carries apparent danger.
Prediction: Tim Tszyu to win by late stoppage, between rounds 9 and 11.
Spence can change that end result if he controls the centre, maintains his output and prevents Tszyu from turning the struggle right into a bodily contest. Till he proves that his timing and stamina have survived the lay-off, nonetheless, Tszyu deserves a slender benefit.
