Tszyu locks in spicy showdown with American superstar
Melissa Woods |
Tim Tszyu has landed the highest-profile fight of his career, taking on “The Big Fish” Errol Spence Jr, with the verbal blows between the pair already reaching fever pitch.
Former unified welterweight world champion Spence and Tszyu will square off on Sunday July 26 in a yet-to-be-named Australian city.
The American superstar (28-1, 22 KOs) is returning to the ring for the first time since his loss to Terence Crawford almost three years ago, while Tzsyu (25-3, 18 KOs) is looking to keep his unbeaten record on home turf intact.
Fronting a heated media conference in Las Vegas to announce the bout after months of negotiations, including a late stand-off before settling on a catchweight of 158 pounds (71.67kg), there was no love lost between the two.
Tszyu said the 36-year-old refused to shake his hand when they initially met up backstage before fronting the cameras.
“I came up to him before and tried to shake his hand – he just walked past me like a disrespectful f***,” Tszyu said.
“That just shows the type of person he is.”
That led to a response from Texan Spence.
“I don’t play no games, bro,” the southpaw said.
“I don’t dap up people talking shit then saying, ‘Hey, buddy, buddy’.
“You wanted to give me a hug, we can hug after the fight.”
Tszyu, 31, likened the showdown to his father Kostya Tszyu’s world title win over Mexican champion Julio Cesar Chavez in 2000.
“Back in the day, my dad fought Julio Cesar Chavez, and growing up, he used to think of Julio Cesar Chavez as the number one guy, and my dad got to fight him and beat him,” Tszyu said.
“I grew up watching Errol Spence and now I get to fight him.
“This is my Julio Cesar Chavez moment.”
Spence said the Sydneysider wasn’t in the same class as his legendary father and dismissed the comparison.
“I think that’s cute,” he said.
“It ain’t what this is – this is Errol Spence versus Tim Tszyu.
“He’s no calibre of his daddy, he can’t even compare himself to his pops. He’s fighting me trying to get out of his daddy’s shadow.”
Coming off back-to-back wins, including a dominant performance over Denis Nurja, Tszyu said he intended using the long-awaited opportunity to cement his place back at the top of the division.
Spence was ringside in 2024 when an unbeaten Tszyu took on Sebastian Fundora, before a stray elbow opened a horrific cut on the Australian’s head and he lost a split decision.
“They call him ‘The Truth’, the ‘Big Fish’,” Tszyu said.
“I’ve always said I’m hunting the biggest fights and biggest names and now I’ve got one right in front of me.
“While he’s been staying away, I’ve been in the fire. I’ve taken my hits, I’ve learned the hard way, and I know I’ve come back better. I’m ready to retire him.”
Spence said he would take extra “gratification” beating Tszyu in his own backyard.
“I look forward to looking up after the fight and seeing how everyone has left the arena because they were disappointed.
“I don’t know if it’s just some type of sick gratification but to fight someone in their hometown, and beat him in front of I don’t know how many fans … that’s going to be a great moment.”
AAP