Errol Spence Jr. and Tim Tszyu took the stage at the final press conference ahead of their Saturday fight in Sydney, and the message from both men was clear: neither expects a cautious night.
Spence is returning to boxing after a three-year absence, and he said the main question is how he will look when the action starts. “There are definitely a lot of questions about how I’m gonna come back,” Spence said. “I’m ready and I’ve been training hard. 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 return makes this one of the more intriguing fights on the schedule. Spence, who is 28-1 with 22 KO wins, admitted the challenge is real, but he also made it clear he expects a strong version of Tszyu. “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, will have home advantage in Sydney and sounded just as confident. He said he first watched Spence years ago while fighting at small venues and now gets the chance to meet him in a marquee bout. “Years ago I remember watching Spence while I was fighting at small venues. Here we are years later and I get to do what I’ve always wanted,” Tszyu said.
The Australian fighter, 36, enters with a 27-3 record and 18 KO wins, and he framed the matchup as the right moment to face a fighter coming off such a long layoff. “Errol is Errol. He does things his own way. I respect what he’s done and achieved, but there comes times in people’s journey where they’ve had enough. I think I’ve picked the right time to face Errol,” Tszyu said. “I want to punch him everywhere as hard as I can. It’s not personal, but of course I want to make this his last fight. Of course.”
That is the central tension heading into Saturday in Sydney: a seasoned former star trying to prove he still belongs, and a home-country contender convinced the timing is right to break him. Spence said he expects Tszyu to bring pressure and try to impose his will, but added that he plans to be one of the best versions of himself. Tszyu said the timing feels perfect for a big moment. Either way, the stakes are simple enough. Errol Spence Jr Vs Tim Tszyu Time marks a return, a test and, for Tszyu, a chance to end the story on his terms.
