Brian Norman Jr. Backs Errol Spence Jr. for First-Round KO

brian norman jr. is backing Errol Spence Jr. to make a loud return on July 25, calling for a first-round knockout of Tim Tszyu in their 158-pound catchweight fight in Australia. Spence has not fought since his July 2023 loss to Terence Crawford, and this comeback is being framed as a chance to restart his title path at junior middleweight.

Norman’s read on Spence

Norman made the prediction in a recent interview after sparring with Spence in camp, and he did not leave much room for doubt about how he sees the fight ending. “You’re definitely going to see a different version of Errol,” he said.

He pushed that point even further. “I feel like he is going to be better than he was in the past,” Norman said. “What I mean by that is, first-round knockout coming soon.”

Tszyu’s side of the fight

Tszyu enters the bout trying to extend his winning streak to three bouts, and he will do it under Hall of Fame trainer Jeff Fenech for the first time. That is the key counterpoint to Norman’s pick: Spence is the one returning from nearly three years out of the ring, but Tszyu is the one trying to keep momentum going in a new corner.

Norman, who is trained by Ronnie Shields along with Spence, went even harder on his fellow former champion’s chances. “Tim Tszyu is going to sleep, man,” he said. “The boy ain’t got nothing for him.”

Australia date for Spence

The fight itself is set for July 25 in Australia, where Spence is trying to reset his career against a younger opponent who has been active more recently. Norman said, “My boy, he coming to Australia just to give him the work, you feel me?”

A win would push Spence toward another title run at junior middleweight, which makes Norman’s first-round call more than just a hot take. It is a direct read on where Spence’s return stands: not as a cautious comeback, but as a chance to arrive in Australia and leave with a statement.