Tim Tszyu returns to the ring for the first time since October last year when he faces American Joey Spencer in a high-stakes fight on Sunday in Newcastle.
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.
Will it be the start of Tszyu’s redemption arc and road back to world title contention, or will Spencer spoil his homecoming and shock the boxing world?
Here, foxsports.com.au has you covered with everything you need to know ahead of the fight card.
HOW TO WATCH
Fight fans in Australia can catch all the action from Tszyu vs Spencer on Fox Sports, Kayo and Main Event.
WHAT TIME DOES IT START?
The action gets underway at 9am AEST with the preliminary card as Cooper O’Connell and Benjamin Amos kick things off with a four-round super lightweight fight.
There are three fights on the preliminary card, with the main card scheduled for 11am. Tszyu and Spencer are expected to make their ring walks at around 2pm, depending how long the earlier fights on the main card last.
MORE TSZYU VS SPENCER NEWS
‘LIKE FAMILY’: Tszyu’s former ‘secret weapon’ switches camps to help US rival
‘ARE YOU SERIOUS?’: Tszyu’s call to UFC superstar amid ‘unfair’ criticism
Tszyu: This fight feels different | 06:00
WHAT’S ON THE LINE?
Outside of the obvious, being the WBO inter-continental super welterweight title, this shapes as a career-defining fight for Tszyu after two-straight losses.
The defeat to Sebastian Fundora was easy to overlook given the fact Tszyu suffered a nasty cut earlier in the fight.
In fact, the general sentiment at the end of the fight was that Tszyu had shown incredible bravery to even go the distance and put himself in a position to have his hand raised.
The dominant loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev, however, cast serious doubt over Tszyu’s ability to match it with the world’s best.
Should Tszyu rebound against Spencer on Sunday, a megafight against American superstar Keith Thurman is an obvious next step, although No Limit CEO George Rose revealed earlier in the week that a rematch with Fundora and highly-anticipated fight against Jermell Charlo could also be on the cards.
As for Spencer, he too is on the comeback trail having suffered a seventh-round defeat at the hands of Jesus Ramos in the biggest fight of his career in March 2023.
At that point Spencer was an unbeaten contender on the rise with a 16-0 record and while he has recorded three-straight wins since that loss, Tszyu represents his greatest test since the Ramos fight.
BETTING ODDS
Tszyu is the overwhelming favourite to get his career back on the track, with the Australian paying $1.12 head-to-head with TAB and Spencer the distant outsider at $6.
A Tszyu win by knockout or TKO is the favoured method of victory ($1.75) with a win by points paying $2.90 while Spencer is rated a $8.50 chance to triumph by KO or TKO and $12 by points.
MORE TSZYU VS SPENCER NEWS
‘HE’LL BE THERE’: Tszyu shuts down big debate over $5m problem amid ‘clown’ slur
‘UNFINISHED BUSINESS’: Promoter’s shock superstar reveal as Tszyu’s path back to world title unveiled
‘In a heavy spot’ Pressure all on Tszyu | 04:59
TALE OF THE TAPE
Tszyu
Record: 24-2 (17KO)
Age: 30
Height: 174cm
Reach: 179cm
Spencer
Record: 19-1 (11KO)
Age: 25
Height: 178cm
Reach: 178cm
FULL FIGHT CARD
Main card
Tim Tszyu vs Joey Spencer — for the WBO inter-continental super welterweight title (10 rounds)
Brandon Grach vs Liam Talivaa — Australian heavyweight title eliminator (eight rounds)
Endry Saavedra vs Mikkel Nielsen — for the WBO international middleweight title (10 rounds)
Koen Mazoudier vs Dan Hill — for the Australian super welterweight title (10 rounds)
Callum Peters vs William Lenehan — catchweight (five rounds)
Brent Walton vs Isaias Sette — super welterweight (four rounds)
Prelims
Andrei Mikhailovich vs Blake Wells — middleweight (six rounds)
Cody Beekin vs Ryan Daye — middleweight (five rounds)
Cooper O’Connell vs Benjamin Amos — super lightweight (four rounds)
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