Tim Tszyu Faces Career Crossroads Ahead of Crucial Fight Against Joey Spencer
After suffering back-to-back defeats, Australian boxer Tim Tszyu finds himself at a critical juncture in his career. The 30-year-old will step back into the ring on April 6 at the Newcastle Entertainment Center, where he faces American Joey Spencer in what Tszyu has described as the “most important fight of my life.”
Tszyu, who boasts a record of 24-2 (17 KOs), is looking to rebound after surprising losses to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev. While the split-decision loss to Fundora could be attributed to an early cut, the three-round stoppage loss to Murtazaliev has raised serious questions about his future at the top level.
> “Looking back at my last fight, it was just a little mistake,” Tszyu said at an open workout in Sydney’s Bondi Boxing Club. “If it had gone six, seven, eight rounds—who knows what would have happened? Boxing is a game of inches, and it’s about minimizing those mistakes and gaining the edge.”
A Return to Basics in Training
Tszyu has returned to Sydney’s Rockdale gym, where he started his boxing journey, hoping that familiar surroundings will help him rediscover his best form.
> “Training back in Sydney has been great,” he explained. “I’ve been sparring with talented up-and-coming fighters from across Australia. It’s about getting back to basics, reconnecting with Aussie fans, and getting back to where it all started.”
He also admitted that his approach in the Murtazaliev fight was flawed, believing he could finish his opponent in two rounds. That miscalculation proved costly, and he now acknowledges the importance of patience in the ring.
> “A professional fight isn’t two rounds—it’s 12,” he said. “I’ve got to be smarter. Every fight is the most important one because there’s always so much to prove.”
A Familiar Opponent in Joey Spencer
Joey Spencer, 19-1 (11 KOs), is not an unknown quantity to Tszyu, as he has followed the American’s career since his time in Minnesota. Though Spencer is considered a fringe contender, he has an opportunity to make a name for himself by defeating a former champion like Tszyu.
> “I’ve watched a bit of tape on Joey,” Tszyu noted. “I don’t watch a crazy amount—just enough to understand the basics of what my opponent does well.”
Despite Spencer being an underdog, Tszyu is not taking him lightly, knowing that another loss could significantly derail his career.
The Path Forward: Keith Thurman Next?
If Tszyu emerges victorious against Spencer, he is expected to face former world champion Keith Thurman in a highly anticipated showdown. Thurman recently secured a three-round victory over Brock Jarvis in Sydney, keeping himself in the mix for a major fight.
> “The world is coming to me now,” Tszyu said. “I’ve got an exciting up-and-comer like Joey, and then there’s Keith, who’s hoping for a fight with me on the horizon. It’s a responsibility, and I take it with both hands.”
A Defining Moment in Tszyu’s Career
With his reputation on the line, this fight is more than just another bout—it’s a defining moment in Tim Tszyu’s career. A win could set up another big-money fight, potentially against Thurman or another elite contender, while a loss could push him further down the rankings, making a world title shot seem increasingly out of reach.
For now, Tszyu is focused on April 6, where he will look to prove that he still belongs among boxing’s elite.