Errol Spence Jr. Returns to Middleweight for Highly Anticipated Fight

Errol Spence Jr. is set to face Tim Tszyu in a highly anticipated middleweight bout on July 25 in Sydney, marking his return to the division after a long layoff. The fight will be a crucial test for both fighters, who are looking to revive their careers.

What happened?

Tszyu, a Sydney native, retired on his stool against Sebastian Fundora after seven rounds of their second fight on July 19, 2025. He has since gone on to win two 10-round contests by unanimous decision versus lower-level competition. His trainer in his last two fights has been Pedro Diaz, and it had previously been Igor Goloubev before him.

Why it matters for Errol Spence Jr.

Spence has not fought since Terence Crawford stopped him in nine rounds for the undisputed welterweight titles in late July 2023. Before that night, he held the IBF, WBC, and WBA straps and was trained by Derrick James. He's now working with Ronnie Shields, yet it's unclear how much of his heart is still in the game, despite vowing to show "a better, more improved" version of himself.

What comes next?

At the presser on May 2, Spence said the day came when he woke up and wanted to come back, and that he wanted Tszyu because he doesn't take tune-up fights. Tszyu countered that it isn't recommended to go straight into the firing line. The two fighters will face off in a highly anticipated bout that will be a crucial test for both of them.

Spence would have still lost to Crawford even if he had a perfect camp, but who knows if he would have caught a ferocious battering or maybe been the one to stop Crawford's streak of knockouts with a decision on the cards. Keep in mind that he was Crawford's last KO. More questions surrounding Spence are how much punch resistance is left and how much ring rust should be expected?

Tszyu is not a natural middleweight, yet his artillery is heavy, and he's been working hard to prepare for this fight. He's 3-1 since his loss to Fundora, and he's looking to continue his winning streak against Spence.

The fight will take place at the Sydney Stadium on July 25, and it's expected to be a highly competitive bout. Both fighters are looking to revive their careers, and this fight will be a crucial test for both of them.

Spence's camp has been questioned, with some saying that he didn't have quality sparring partners and was mainly working on the pads with James. James' side of the story is that Spence's father ordered no more sparring after his son was hurt, which James said he didn't see when it happened. Enough has come out from James and Spence to know they had a rinky-dink camp for the biggest night of their lives.

It's hardly a knock on a fighter to say they battled for the loot, but Spence's legacy was dented by how he looked against Crawford, which had some to do with his preparation. He would have still lost even if he had a perfect camp, but who knows if he would have caught a ferocious battering or maybe been the one to stop Crawford's streak of knockouts with a decision on the cards.

Tszyu, on the other hand, has been working hard to prepare for this fight. He's been training with Pedro Diaz, and he's looking to continue his winning streak against Spence. He's not a natural middleweight, yet his artillery is heavy, and he's been working hard to prepare for this fight.

The fight will be a crucial test for both fighters, who are looking to revive their careers. It's expected to be a highly competitive bout, and both fighters are looking to come out on top.

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