Errol Spence Jr v Tim Tszyu Preview: Can Spence Overcome Ring Rust in Sydney?

Errol Spence Jr will attempt to answer one of boxing’s biggest comeback questions when he faces Tim Tszyu in Sydney this weekend.

The former unified welterweight champion has not competed since Terence Crawford stopped him in the ninth round of their undisputed title fight in July 2023. Almost three years later, Spence is returning without a warm-up contest against a younger, naturally bigger opponent.

Tszyu has also reached a decisive point in his career. The Australian has rebuilt with two consecutive victories, but damaging defeats to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev remain fresh enough to raise questions about his durability at elite level.

Their meeting will take place at a 158lb catchweight, two pounds below the full middleweight limit. That detail could prove important. Tszyu has spent most of his career at super-welterweight, while Spence built his reputation four pounds lower at welterweight.

The result may decide whether Spence can begin a serious second chapter or whether Tszyu can return to the world-title picture.

When is Errol Spence Jr v Tim Tszyu?

Spence and Tszyu are scheduled to meet at the Afterpay Arena in Sydney, Australia.

The main card begins at 2am BST on Sunday, 26 July for viewers in the United Kingdom. The main-event ring walks are expected at approximately 4.30am, although that time will depend on the length of the undercard contests.

The event is listed for Saturday, 25 July in the United States because of the international time difference. It takes place during the daytime on Sunday in Sydney.

UK viewers can watch through DAZN pay-per-view. The event has been advertised at £24.99 for standard subscribers, while DAZN Ultimate members can watch it as part of their membership. The preliminaries begin at midnight BST.

Full broadcast and card information is available through the official PBC fight page and DAZN’s UK viewing guide.

The official PBC listing gives Spence a 28–1 record with 22 stoppages and Tszyu a 27–3 record with 18. Spence also holds slight advantages in height and reach, although Tszyu is the more established fighter at the heavier weights.

Readers unfamiliar with the difference between welterweight, super-welterweight and middleweight can use World in Sport’s boxing weight classes explained guide.

What does Spence have left after three years out?

Spence was one of boxing’s most dependable elite fighters before the Crawford defeat.

He defeated Kell Brook to win the IBF welterweight title in Sheffield before adding major victories over Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Yordenis Ugas. His pressure, accurate southpaw jab and punishing body combinations made him difficult to outwork or discourage.

Spence rarely relied on one spectacular punch. Instead, he broke opponents down through position, discipline and sustained pressure.

That version of Spence would present serious problems for Tszyu. He could use his jab to interrupt the Australian’s forward movement, step outside Tszyu’s lead foot and create angles for the straight left hand.

The concern is whether that fighter still exists.

Spence is now 36 and has not completed a competitive round since Crawford dominated him. He must also move above the welterweight division in which he produced his best performances.

Boxers often speak about recreating the intensity of a fight through sparring. However, even the hardest gym sessions cannot fully reproduce the timing, pressure and decision-making required under the lights.

Spence may look sharp for the opening rounds. The greater test will arrive when Tszyu forces him to fight at a sustained pace.

World in Sport’s Terence Crawford career profile provides more context on the only fighter to defeat Spence professionally.

Why Tszyu cannot afford another major defeat

Tszyu enters with more recent activity but also carries his own doubts.

The former WBO super-welterweight champion lost his unbeaten record against Fundora in March 2024. An accidental cut contributed to a difficult night, but Murtazaliev then overwhelmed him inside three rounds later that year.

Tszyu returned with a stoppage victory over Joey Spencer in April 2025 before losing his rematch with Fundora. He has since recorded decision wins over Anthony Velazquez and the previously unbeaten Denis Nurja.

The Nurja victory took Tszyu’s record to 27–3. All three judges scored the 10-round contest 100–88, although Tszyu suffered another cut during the fight.

Those comeback wins restored some stability, but neither opponent carried Spence’s experience or technical ability.

Tszyu therefore faces an unusual form of pressure. He is younger, fighting at home and has been far more active, yet he will stand opposite the most accomplished opponent of his career.

Victory would place him back among the leading names between super-welterweight and middleweight. Defeat, particularly against a boxer returning from such a long absence, would make another world-title run difficult to build.

Tszyu has spent his career dealing with comparisons to his father. World in Sport’s look at Kostya Tszyu’s career and legacy explains the championship standard against which the younger Tszyu has often been judged.

How the styles match up

The contrast between the fighters make the contest compelling.

Spence prefers to control distance with his jab before stepping forward behind compact combinations. He attacks the body well, rarely wastes movement and can turn opponents towards his stronger left hand.

Tszyu applies more direct pressure. He looks to close the distance, hold his ground and create opportunities for the right hand. He is particularly dangerous when opponents retreat in straight lines or remain against the ropes.

The early battle for ring position will reveal plenty.

Tszyu cannot afford to follow Spence without cutting off the ring. If he allows the American to move laterally and establish his jab, the opening rounds could become frustrating.

Spence must avoid spending too much time within Tszyu’s punching range. The Australian is naturally comfortable carrying more weight and should have the physical advantage in prolonged exchanges.

Tszyu will probably target the body from the start. Making Spence work, lean and absorb punches could expose the effects of his long absence as the fight develops.

Spence, meanwhile, should test Tszyu’s defence with straight punches through the centre. Fundora and Murtazaliev both found ways to disrupt Tszyu when exchanges became chaotic. Spence’s best route may involve keeping the action controlled rather than attempting to match Tszyu punch for punch.

For a breakdown of knockdowns, stoppages and judges’ decisions, read World in Sport’s boxing rules and scoring guide.

The 158lb catchweight could favour Tszyu

The contracted weight removes the usual strain of making the 154lb super-welterweight limit, but it may also reduce one of Spence’s former advantages.

At welterweight, Spence combined size with skill. He was often the stronger man and could force opponents backwards after establishing his jab.

He will not enjoy the same physical edge against Tszyu.

Tszyu has already competed around the middleweight limit during his rebuilding period. He should arrive comfortable with the additional weight and confident that he can absorb Spence’s punches.

Spence may benefit from no longer having to reach 147lb, particularly after such a long lay-off. The question is whether the added weight helps his strength or slows the reactions and work rate that once separated him from other welterweights.

The opening rounds may favour Spence technically. The second half could favour Tszyu physically.

What is at stake for both fighters?

No recognised world championship will be on the line, but the result could reshape two careers.

Spence needs to prove that the Crawford defeat and subsequent absence did not close his time at the highest level. A convincing victory would create opportunities against champions and contenders at super-welterweight or middleweight.

A poor performance could lead to retirement questions.

Tszyu needs a defining victory after a difficult period. Beating Spence would remain significant regardless of the American’s inactivity because of the former champion’s achievements and reputation.

It would also give Tszyu the strongest win of his career and restore much of the momentum lost during his defeats.

Fans can follow further developments through World in Sport’s boxing coverage.

Errol Spence Jr v Tim Tszyu prediction

Spence is the more complete boxer at his best. His jab, body work and ability to maintain pressure without losing his shape are all capable of troubling Tszyu.

The prediction depends on whether he can reproduce those qualities after almost three years away.

Tszyu has fought seven times since Spence last entered the ring. He is younger, naturally bigger and will compete in front of a home crowd. He should also feel more comfortable as the contest becomes physical.

Spence may win several of the early rounds by boxing at distance. However, Tszyu is likely to increase the pressure once he reads the timing of the southpaw jab.

The Australian must remain disciplined. Charging forward carelessly would allow Spence to land straight left hands and body shots. Patient pressure should produce better results.

Tszyu’s activity and strength at 158lb make him the safer choice, although writing off a former unified champion carries obvious risk.

Prediction: Tim Tszyu to win by late stoppage, between rounds nine and 11.

Spence can change that outcome if he controls the centre, maintains his output and prevents Tszyu from turning the fight into a physical contest. Until he proves that his timing and stamina have survived the lay-off, however, Tszyu deserves a narrow advantage.