'I've got to be smarter': Tim Tszyu's brutally honest admission ahead of return against Joey Spencer
Updated . First published at
Tim Tszyu admits he fought "like a cockhead" in his last bout, but the Australian star knows he needs to fight "smarter" against Joey Spencer next month.
The former world champion copped a brutal defeat at the hands of Bakhram Murtazaliev last October, dropped multiple times before his brother Nikita threw in the towel.
It was the second-straight loss for Tszyu, who was left bloodied almost one year ago in an epic but controversial 12-round war with Sebastian Fundora.
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While the Fundora loss showed Tszyu's heart, the clash with Murtazaliev left question marks over whether the 30-year-old could get back to world title contention.
However, at the first face-off with Spencer ahead of their looming clash, the biggest name in Aussie boxing gave a brutal assessment of how he can improve.
Joey Spencer (L) and Tim Tszyu (R) face off for the first time. Getty
"Not go in like a cockhead," Tszyu said.
"It's about keeping it smart. Last time, I went in with the mindset that I could take him out in two rounds. That was going through my head, but a fight isn't two rounds, it's 12.
"I've got to be smarter. Looking back at my last fight, it was just a little mistake. If it had gone six, seven, eight rounds - who knows what would have happened?
"For me, it's about not making that mistake again. Boxing is a game of inches, and it's about minimising those mistakes and gaining the edge."
Tszyu (24-2) could force his way back into high-profile fights should he claim a win over Spencer, who comes in with little fanfare Down Under but a strong 19-1 record.
Tim Tszyu speaks to media ahead of his fight with Joey Spencer. No Limit Boxing
The likes of Keith Thurman and Michael Zerafa are names that continue to be linked to Tszyu, but the second-generation boxer is keeping his eyes firmly fixed on his next task.
"This is the most important fight of my life," he said.
"There's so much on the line, so much to look forward to. Every fight is important, but this one feels different. My focus is really locked in.
"The world is coming to me now. I've got an exciting up-and-comer like Joey, and then there's Keith, who's hoping for a fight with me on the horizon.
"It's a responsibility, and I take it with both hands. I'm representing Australia the right way, bringing big-time boxing back here, and doing big things."
Spencer arrived in Australia last week and cut a respectful figure at their first meeting.
Joey Spencer trains at open workouts. Getty
"This is a great opportunity," the 24-year-old Michigan native said.
"It's not every day you get the chance to fight someone in the top 10, a former world champion, and a name as big as Tim's.
"This is exactly what I dreamed of as a kid - traveling to someone else's backyard and trying to take what they have. This is what I wanted to do with my career."
The fight is scheduled to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on April 6.
