Tim Tszyu Beats Errol Spence as American Retires

Tim Tszyu restored his standing among the leading fighters around the middleweight division by defeating Errol Spence Jr on a wide unanimous decision at the Afterpay Arena in Sydney. The Australian won by scores of 118–110 and 117–111 twice after 12 rounds in which Spence showed courage and traces of his former quality, but not enough speed, strength or endurance to contain a younger and naturally heavier opponent.

The contest marked Spence’s first appearance since his ninth-round stoppage defeat by Terence Crawford in July 2023. During the intervening three years, he had moved from welterweight to middleweight and reached the age of 36. Tszyu, meanwhile, was attempting to rebuild after a difficult sequence which included defeats by Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev. For one man it was a chance to revive a career; for the other it proved to be the final examination before retirement.

Spence began sensibly from the southpaw stance, using the right jab and attempting to work Tszyu’s body with the left hand. There was still intelligence in his choice of punches, and he was able to interrupt the Australian’s advance during the opening rounds. Tszyu remained patient, holding a high guard and responding with the straighter, heavier right hand whenever Spence lingered in range. The early exchanges were competitive, but even then the difference in physical authority was apparent. Spence’s punches scored; Tszyu’s moved him.

The Australian gradually took command by shortening the distance. Rather than charge after Spence, Tszyu edged forward behind his guard, blocked much of the incoming work and forced the former champion to expend energy with repeated combinations. Spence could still produce neat passages, particularly when given room to jab and turn away, but his feet no longer carried him out of danger as quickly as they once had. Tszyu began landing the right hand over the jab and following with compact hooks to the body.

By the middle rounds, the direction of the fight had become clear. Tszyu’s pressure was not frantic, but it was constant enough to make Spence work at a rate he could not maintain comfortably. The sixth was among the Australian’s strongest rounds as he drove Spence backwards, attacked beneath the elbows and landed the cleaner punches during the exchanges. Spence attempted to answer with combinations from the ropes, though too many of them were absorbed by Tszyu’s gloves or lacked the force to alter his advance.

Spence continued to compete rather than merely endure. He found the body with the left hand and occasionally caught Tszyu stepping square, but his success came in isolated moments. Tszyu controlled where the contest took place. When Spence tried to stand his ground, the Australian’s right hand and greater strength won the exchanges. When he attempted to move, Tszyu followed without wasting steps and placed him near the ropes again.

The ninth supplied a fair summary of the contest. Spence began busily and worked downstairs, but Tszyu’s high guard dealt with much of the attack. The Australian then resumed his pressure, countering with right hands and forcing Spence backwards during the closing stages. There was no knockdown and no single dramatic incident, merely the steady accumulation of cleaner, more forceful work.

Spence’s stamina declined noticeably during the championship rounds. His punches became slower and his periods of activity shorter. Tszyu remained measured rather than reckless, perhaps aware that there was no need to offer the American an unnecessary opening. He landed the more conspicuous blows in the eleventh and finished the final round on the front foot, backing Spence towards the ropes with right hands. The result was beyond serious dispute when the final bell sounded.

The judges’ margins were accurate. There was no assistance required from local scoring and no hidden controversy waiting to be discovered. Spence had enough skill to win occasional rounds and sufficient pride to complete the distance, but he no longer possessed the physical equipment which had made him the outstanding welterweight of his generation before Crawford defeated him. The move through two divisions and three years of inactivity were burdens that could not be concealed by experience alone.

Tszyu improved his record to 28 victories and three defeats and announced that middleweight would now be his division. The result was valuable, although it should be assessed properly. He defeated a distinguished former champion, but not the Spence who had beaten Kell Brook, Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter and Yordenis Ugas. Even so, Tszyu did what was required: he imposed the greater strength, remained disciplined and won without giving the older man encouragement.

Spence confirmed his retirement immediately afterwards, saying that he was leaving with his health, finances and family intact. It was a sensible conclusion. Boxing has often been reluctant to inform distinguished champions when their time has passed, so there was some merit in Spence recognising the matter himself. He left Sydney with his dignity preserved, while Tszyu departed with the most famous name on his record and renewed hopes of another world-title contest.