Errol Spence nickname the truth in boxing but he’s getting back in there with a wildly challenging fight for his comeback in 2026.
Most boxers would look to get the ring rust off first after being out of the ring three years.
Most boxers after fighting the best pound for pound boxer of these times in Terence Crawford, and getting dismantled by him and stopped by him, would look to have a confidence building fight first.
Three years after that Spence is doing neither.
What’s more he’s compounded his problem in the comeback by taking on a top tier fighter in Tim Tszyu at a big catchweight of 158 pounds — surely giving the more active Tszyu an even bigger advantage than he already had.
Not only that — he’s going all the way to Tszyu’s country on the other side of the world in Australia to give him another advantage with jet lag and everything else that will effect his preparation in the fight.
Let’s look at the facts.
Errol Spence “The Truth” vs Tim Tszyu
| Category | Errol Spence Jr | Tim Tszyu |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname | “The Truth” | “The Soul Taker” |
| Last Fight | July 29, 2023 – Lost TKO9 to Terence Crawford for WBC, WBA, IBF Welterweight titles | April 2026 – W UD10 vs Denis Nurja |
| Time Since Last Fight | ∼3 years, 0 days out of ring | ∼3 months active |
| Age | 36 | 31 |
| Record | 28-1, 22 KOs | 26-3, 17 KOs |
| Natural Weight Class | Career at 147 lbs welterweight | Career at 154 lbs junior middleweight / 155 lbs |
| Fight Weight | 158 lbs catchweight – first fight above 154 lbs, +11 lbs from career weight | 158 lbs catchweight – +3-4 lbs from usual 154-155 lbs |
| Location | Traveling to Australia – opponent’s home country | Fighting at home in Australia |
| Activity Last 3 Years | 0 fights | 4 fights: Fundora L, Murtazaliev L, Spencer W TKO, Nurja W UD |
| Venue | Away territory – first pro fight outside USA | Home territory advantage |
| Trainer | New: Ronnie Shields. Split from Derrick James | Mainstay: Igor Goloubev, with father Kostya Tszyu involvement |
| Injuries Since Last Fight | Cataract surgery on right eye | No major surgeries reported |
| Prior Major Incident | Oct 2019 – High-speed car crash | None |
| Stated Mindset | “I already got my right foot hanging out the door… You never know” if he loses | Coming off 2 straight wins to rebuild after 2 losses |
| Career Losses | 1 – TKO to Crawford | 3 – Fundora SD, Murtazaliev TKO, Mendoza UD |
Home-field and weight facts that benefit Tszyu:
- Location: Fight is July 25/26, 2026 in Australia — Tszyu’s “back yard”. Spence’s first professional fight outside USA.
- Weight context: Catchweight set at 158 lbs. Tszyu normally fights at 154-155 lbs, so he’s up 3-4 lbs. Spence spent career at 147 lbs, now up 11 lbs to 158 lbs.
- Ring activity: Tszyu has boxed 4 times since Spence’s last bout. Spence has 0 fights in 3 years.
- Recent result: Spence’s last fight was a TKO in round nine loss to Terence Crawford. Tszyu’s last 2 fights are wins after his own losses.
- Age: Tszyu 31 vs Spence 36 — youth is also on Spence’s opponent’s side.
- He’s 36, coming off a TKO loss 3 years ago, had cataract surgery, changed trainers, moving up 11 lbs and evenflying to his opponent’s home country — where Tszyu is 3-4 lbs above his normal weight class.
Alas, no matter what he says — the Errol Spence 3 year layoff will be a factor.
Rest assured on that.
Roll on what should be an intriguing fight.
