Tim Tszyu ignores calls to fight local talent as Joseph Spencer fight confirmed for April
Tim Tszyu has rejected a local opponent, opting for the hard way back to the top of boxing's super welterweight division by taking on highly touted American prospect Joseph Spencer.
Tszyu's quest for redemption and relevance on the world stage begins on Sunday April 6 at Newcastle Entertainment Centre, in a bout that will be aired live to the United States.
The 30-year-old Australian is seeking to bounce back from a down year in 2024, where he suffered back-to-back defeats that sparked uncertainty about his future.
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Most insiders, including Tszyu's promoters, were pushing for him to fight a local talent to give him some confidence before facing world calibre opponents again.
But Tszyu will have none of that, taking on Spencer (19-1, 11 KOs) - a nine-time American champion.
"This is the biggest fight of my career. This distinguishes where I come back and where my road will go," Tszyu said at Tuesday's announcement.
"Look, you're in this sport to test yourself at all times, so I wanted a tough challenge.
Bakhram Murtazaliev punches Tim Tszyu at Caribe Royale Orlando. Getty
"When the fight got offered, it was a no-brainer for me. I knew I didn't want to take the long road to get back to the top. The shorter it is, the harder the opponents are.
"And I knew by taking Joe Spencer, this early, you're going to go straight back to where you belong.
"I've got redemption on my mind."
Tszyu's promoter George Rose from No Limit said the star refused to take a tune-up fight.
"Look, a lot of people in their comeback fights, coming back from a loss would choose a dud opponent," Rose said.
"Tim is a guy who wants hard fights every time, and it kills me when he does it.
"I'd love to have an easy fight where we can just walk in and he wipes them out.
Joseph Spencer takes on Jesus Ramos in their Super Welterweight bout on March 25, 2023, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alejandro Salazar/PX Images/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
"He probably still will do it anyway, but I'd love to have that thought going into it, not going into a fight where I know that he's fighting against a guy who's an absolute killer.
"This guy is a two-time PBC prospect of the year, a guy who's only got one little blemish on his career, and a guy who absolutely wants to light up this division and sees this as a huge opportunity for himself."
The 24-year-old Spencer is a nine-time American champion and has been in the conversation to fight champion Sebastian Fundora.
Spencer won both of his fights last year in clinical fashion, first by knockout against Janer Gonzalez, and then by majority decision over Miguel Angel Hernandez.
"This fight is very important for my career, just being on the stage that it is on," Spencer said.
"Tim Tszyu, having the name that he has, a lot of people are going to be tuning in and watching this fight to see if Tim can bounce back.
"I believe that I'm going to be an underdog in this fight. But when I come in and do what I need to do to get this win, I'm definitely going to be on the map in a way that I haven't been up to this point.
"I believe I can beat him because I believe I'm a superior boxer in all facets.
"Absolutely I'm coming to take him out, whether it's a decision, a stoppage, or a knockout."
