Tim Tszyu is entering a pivotal showdown with Joey Spencer on April 5th at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, aiming to halt a two-fight losing skid and reestablish himself as a leading force in the 154-pound division. The 28-year-old Tszyu, once the WBO junior middleweight champion, now finds himself at a career crossroads after suffering back-to-back losses: a stunning knockout in one round to Bakhram Murtazaliev last October, and a split-decision defeat to Sebastian Fundora seven months earlier.
Watch Murtazaliev vs. Tszyu highlights: Watch
This comeback fight, airing on PBC on Prime Video, may prove to be a high-stakes risk. While Tszyu still brings legitimate punching power, his chin has been cast into doubt following the four-knockdown beating he took from Murtazaliev. His opponent Joey Spencer, only 24 years old, carries devastating pop of his own – enough that a shaky Tszyu could potentially find himself in trouble. Nevertheless, Tszyu is taking on the toughest challenge available in order to chase a lucrative showdown later this year with former welterweight champion Keith Thurman, who just last week stopped Brock Jarvis in Sydney.
“This is an all-risk fight for Tim, but that’s the only way he operates,” noted George Rose, CEO of No Limit Boxing. “Joey Spencer is a two-time PBC Prospect of the Year and can make a massive statement in the super welterweight division. He’s coming to rip everything away from Tim.”
Image Credit: No Limit Boxing