Errol Spence Jr says he is ready to return after a three-year absence from boxing, and he will get that chance on Saturday in Sydney against Tim Tszyu.
At the final press conference before the fight, Spence acknowledged that there are questions about how he will look after such a long layoff. But he said he has been training hard and is not feeling added pressure to prove himself to anyone else.
"I’m ready and I’ve been training hard," Spence said. "There’s no pressure on me, because I’m not trying to prove something to anybody. I’m looking to prove to myself that I still have it."
That is the central storyline entering the matchup. Spence, 36, is coming back after three years away from boxing, while Tszyu, 31, is trying to make the moment count on his home turf in Sydney.
A test of timing, form and confidence
Spence enters with a 28-1 record and 22 KO, while Tszyu is 27-3 with 18 KO. Those numbers frame the fight, but the bigger issue is how Spence responds to the layoff and whether Tszyu can turn his momentum into a breakthrough win.
Spence said he expects Tszyu to be sharp and aggressive. He described Tszyu as highly focused and said he believes the Australian knows his back is against the wall. Spence also said he plans to be one of the best versions of himself and believes the fight could become physical quickly.
"I’m gonna get the best Tim Tszyu," Spence said. "He’s been training hard and he’s extremely focused. He knows his back is against the wall. So he’s gotta come with it all."
Tszyu, meanwhile, has made no secret of how much this fight means to him. Years ago, he said, he watched Spence while fighting at small venues. Now he gets the chance to face him in Sydney, and he believes the timing is right.
"Years ago I remember watching Spence while I was fighting at small venues," Tszyu said. "Here we are years later and I get to do what I’ve always wanted."
Tszyu said he has super confidence that he will beat Spence, and he also made clear that he wants to make the fight a painful one for the former champion. He said he wants to punch Spence everywhere as hard as he can and wants to make this his last fight.
That makes Saturday in Sydney more than just a return bout. It is a pressure fight for Tszyu on home soil and a comeback test for Spence, who has to show that three years away has not taken away the edge that once made him one of boxing’s top names.
Spence said his approach will not change much if the opening presents itself. He said everybody comes in there to hurt the other guy and that his plan is to impose his will and stop opponents when possible. Tszyu, for his part, said he respects what Spence has accomplished, but believes he may have picked the right time to face him.
That combination should make this a closely watched fight, especially with Spence trying to answer the obvious questions about his return. As he put it, he is focused on proving it to himself, and Saturday will offer the first real answer.
