Tim Tszyu’s hyped showdown with dangerous American prospect Joey Spencer is once again on track, with the Combat Authority of NSW agreeing to have two international judges officiate the fight.
Speaking shortly before Wednesday’s open workouts at the famed Tszyu Boxing Academy, Spencer’s father and head coach Jason Spencer confirmed the news and revealed his son was “appreciative” and “positive” of what amounts to an early win for the team.
Tszyu vs Spencer | SUN 6 APRIL 11AM AEDT | Tim Tszyu makes his highly anticipated return to the ring as he looks to push himself back into world title contention against Joey Spencer | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
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No Limit CEO George Rose also confirmed the officiating crew would involve two overseas judges, adding: “The fight is on, it’s official.”
Main Event footage showed the Tszyu and Spencer camps discussing the resolution at Wednesday’s open workouts with No Limit’s Matt Rose asking: “Are we sweet with all that now?”
Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings added to the Spencer camp: “From team to team we only ever wanted equity, and fairness to everyone, it was never an issue to us.”
As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia on Monday, Team Spencer had been left fuming – and were threatening to walk away from Sunday’s headliner – after learning all three judges for the Newcastle showdown were going to be Australian.
Spencer’s father slammed the decision, insisting he and his son had been promised 10 weeks earlier that the panel of ringside officials would compromise only one Australian and two international judges.
Spencer, the fighter, also urged Tszyu to use his influence as one of Australian boxing’s most powerful voices to ensure the promises initially made to his family were honoured.
The 25-year-old added the issue had become a “moral” one, and he felt people were trying to take advantage of him.
Speaking amid the furore however, Tszyu stressed he won’t need judges, Australian or otherwise, in his first fight back from consecutive world title losses against Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev.
He also added that he was happy to have two overseas judges involved.
Are we sweet with all that now?
From team to team we only ever wanted equity, and fairness to everyone, it was never an issue to us
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However, as late as Tuesday night The Soul Taker was still unsure if Spencer would be his rival and admitted, at one point, he had even thought that the fight was off.
Yet the drama has now been resolved, and Team Spencer have been granted their wish.
“So we’re very appreciative,” Jason Spencer said.
“Appreciative to both No Limit and the Australian commission for upholding their end of the equation in terms of the judging.”
Asked how Joey had reacted when told the news, the coach continued: “He was thankful.
“Appreciative and positive.”
The Americans will now head to Newcastle on Thursday to complete the final days of camp.
Rose, meanwhile, admitted there while there had been some concern while waiting on a decision from the Combat Authority of NSW, the promoter stressed he had always been confident the fight would happen.
“The fight is on. It’s official,” he said.
“There’s no excuses now.
“Tszyu v Spencer is the biggest fight in Australia this year, and we couldn’t be more excited.
“Tim is ready, Joey is fired up and ready, and the fans are in for an absolute spectacle in Newcastle on Sunday.”
On suggestions the bout would have to be cancelled, Rose said: “We were never in doubt about Tim stepping into the ring on Sunday.
“But there was some uncertainty while we were waiting on the official ruling.
“Now that it’s confirmed, we can look forward to what will be an incredible fight.”
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Elsewhere, Tszyu also branded Michael Zerafa a “little clout chaser” after his longtime rival attempted to insert himself into the narrative on Tuesday, revealing he would take the fight if Spencer walked.
Speaking with Main Event Australia at his grandparent’s home in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon, Tszyu had also been asked about the fight going ahead following Team Spencer’s threats.
“Fingers crossed,” he laughed. “It’s not resolved yet.
“So fingers crossed it gets resolved.
“They want international judges but … we don’t need judges.”
The drama first exploded on Monday afternoon when Jason Spencer first spoke out on the judging.
“When we were offered this fight 10 weeks ago, we were promised a neutral judging panel,” he said.
“It was a key term — that there would be one Australian judge and two internationals.
“Yet now at the last minute we’re being told it will be three Australians.
“That doesn’t work.
“It’s not our agreement.
“And the fact they’re also dropping it on us now, in fight week, it just isn’t professional.”
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Pushed on his concerns, Spencer snr continued: “I’m not saying the (three Australian) judges will cheat.
“And it’s important I’m clear about that.
“From what we’ve experienced so far, Australian people are everything we were told they’d be and had expected ourselves – honest, hard-working people of character.
“But we also want a fair chance.
“Because we know judging is something that, if you’re watching one fighter even a little more than the other, or like one guy a little more than another … even if you’re a fair judge, will the decision be altered on who you give a close round to?”
Spencer also questioned why Tszyu’s minders would suddenly not want a neutral judging panel, as was the case for Tszyu’s previous world title fights on home soil against the likes of Tony Harrison and Brian Mendoza.
“Because we know this is going to be a competitive fight,” he stressed.
“And for those rounds that are close, we know with neutral judges we have a shot at winning them.
“But with an Australian judge, odds are we don’t.
“Can you imagine agreeing to fight someone like Tim Tszyu, in his own backyard, in front of his fans – in Tszyucastle – with all Australian judges?
“How much do these guys need? Does Tim Tszyu want a fair fight?
“If Tim is the fighter we want to believe he is, he shouldn’t need an all-Australian judging panel.”
‘I’m ready to fight anywhere’ | 05:04
Spencer also questioned if The Soul Taker’s team believed they needed everything in their favour to win?
“Everyone agrees this has the potential to be a very close fight,” he continued.
“We aren’t here for a paycheque, we’re here to win.
“But already, the odds are already stacked against us.
“So does Tszyu need it all? Or does he believe he can beat my son fairly?
“It says a lot about my son’s character as a fighter that he takes challenges, fights the best.
“All we want is a fair shot.”
Asked if the issue could be resolved, Spencer snr continued: “Yes, it can be, but it needs to happen fast.
“We’ve seen previously where judges and back-up fighters were brought in the day before a fight, so we have time.
“But we definitely need to hear some answers.”
Now, they have them.
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