Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence Jr could step into the same ring in the summer of 2026. The two fighters, both eager to revive careers that have fallen into decline following heavy defeats, have reached a verbal agreement that will need to be formalized through official contracts in the coming months.
Tim Tszyu, son of legendary former super lightweight world champion Kostya Tszyu, will most likely take a tune-up fight next month in Australia before turning his attention to Spence.
The 31-year-old Sydney native has lost three of his last five bouts and is desperately seeking a statement win that could put him back on track. His downward spiral began in March 2024, when he lost his unbeaten record in an extremely close fight against the towering Sebastian Fundora, a bout that was also affected by a deep cut.
Things went from bad to worse seven months later, when Tszyu was overwhelmed in just three rounds by Russia’s Bakhram Murtazaliev in a fight where he entered the ring as the favorite. The subsequent rematch with Fundora, which he lost decisively in seven rounds, confirmed the boxer’s motivational collapse, as he no longer seems to be the same athlete he was a few years ago.
Errol Spence also needs a turning point, having been out of the ring since July 2023. His last fight ended in a devastating knockout loss—the only defeat of his career—at the hands of pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford.
Many believe Spence came out of that fight so badly damaged that he has nothing left to give to boxing, a theory that has gained increasing traction as the Texan’s return to the ring continued to be delayed.
Now “The Truth” wants to silence the skeptics and launch a second chapter of his career at super welterweight. Should he defeat Tszyu, it is highly likely that he would secure a prominent position in the rankings of the major international organizations, moving closer to another world title opportunity.
Tim, however, has no intention of rolling out the red carpet for him. Which of the two will prove to be less worn down by the battles they have endured so far?