Boxing
What stakes do Spence and Tszyu face before former's comeback?
Spence vs. Tszyu: Only on DAZN PPV - July 25
Errol Spence Jr. makes his highly-anticipated return to boxing Saturday night, stepping back into the ring for the first time in about three years to do battle with Tim Tszyu.
The bout takes place at Afterpay Arena in Sydney Olympic Park in Tszyu’s hometown of New South Wales, Australia, and live on DAZN PPV .
Set at super welterweight, the fight will decide ‘The Truth’ on whether Spence, 36, still has what it takes to reach a top level in the sport. It could also reveal if Tszyu remains a viable fighter at 154 pounds.
With plenty of excitement in the air, DAZN News pulls out the analytical lens in examining what’s totally at stake for each man in this pivotal fight.
What’s at stake for Errol Spence Jr. in this fight?
What was presented as a 50-50 fight between Errol Spence Jr., the unified welterweight ruler at the time, and Terence Crawford turned into one-way traffic and decimation, courtesy of ‘Bud.’ Crawford used the July 2023 fight to knock Spence down three times and reveal ‘The Truth:’ that he’s the pound-for-pound king.
The aftermath of the bout had Spence out indefinitely. Though Spence flirted with a reported return to action to challenge 154-pound champ Sebastian Fundora, the fight never materialized. His absence snowballed to nearly three years.
And here we are with ‘The Big Fish’ jumping back into choppy waters with a game, formidable Tim Tszyu.
At stake for Spence, more than anything else, is shaking off any ring rust and proving to himself that he still has quality boxing left.
Defeating Tszyu in Australia and doing it convincingly will be a great sign for Spence, who has the opportunity of putting the super welterweight division on notice of his return and that he’s still a force.
What’s at stake for Tim Tszyu in this fight?
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Tim Tszyu certainly has quality wins on his ledger, ranging from his stoppage of Jeff Horn in August 2020 to sensationally knocking out Tony Harrison in March 2023 and outpointing a gritty Brian Mendoza seven months later. However, after failing twice to defeat ‘The Towering Inferno’ Sebastian Fundora and being bulldozed by Bakhram Murtazaliev in between, Tszyu hasn’t been able to notch that redefining win he so desperately needs.
Reeling in ‘The Big Fish’ and defeating Errol Spence Jr. would grant the Australian warrior the biggest name and win on his record. It’d also put Tszyu back in the title hunt, where he could leverage the win to possibly lure Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis or Josh Kelly into a championship shot.
That’s what’s at stake for Tszyu in this pivotal bout as he can ill afford to lose to a Spence who hasn’t seen action in nearly three years and is coming off a severe beatdown at the hands of Terence Crawford.
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