‘Swinging like an idiot’: Tim Tszyu’s brutal assessment ahead of the most important fight of his career

Tim Tszyu didn’t mince his words when discussing his strategy and mental state ahead of his April 6 showdown with Joey Spencer.

Don’t come out swinging like an idiot.

That’s Tim Tszyu’s blunt assessment on what he needs to change as he prepares for what he describes is the biggest test of his professional boxing career against Joey Spencer.

Meanwhile, this masthead can confirm the 2023 Fight of the Year rematch between Brandon Grach and Liam Taliva’a will be the co-main event for April 6 pay-per-view in Newcastle.

Joey Spencer (L) and Tim Tszyu face-off in Sydney. Picture: Grant Trouville ©

Grach scored a sickening knockout of Taliva’a just seconds into the second round, and the pair have been gunning for each other ever since.

Coming off back-to-back losses, including a stunning third round knockout by Bakhram Murtazaliev, Tszyu says he thought he was going to blast the hard-hitting Russian out in just a couple of rounds.

“What I did in round one, should’ve been done in round eight,” Tszyu told this masthead after coming face-to-face with Spencer (19-1) for the first time in Australia on Wednesday.

Spencer works out in Sydney on Wednesday. Picture: Grant Trouville ©

“That’s when they’re a bit more tired, they’re a bit weaker.

“That should’ve been done after I’ve smacked them in the body a few more times.

“When their eyes are going to the other side of their head. That’s when I should’ve done what I did in round one.

“But I came out swinging like an idiot – I was overexcited.”

“Don’t fight like a c***head.”

Another loss would all but end Tszyu’s career. The dangerous Spencer – who describes himself as a boxer-brawler – has only lost once, to the super-talented Jesus Ramos Jr in 2023.

Tszyu speaks to the media. Picture: Grant Trouville ©

Spencer was named prospect of the year twice, and some in Australian boxing circles have questioned why Tszyu didn’t target an easier opponent for such a crucial fight.

“It’s going to be a hell of a fight,” Tszyu said. “This is the most important fight of my life. There’s so much on the line, and so much to look forward to.

“This one feels different.”

Questions have been asked about Tszyu’s mindset as well, after being dropped three times against Murtazaliev, but the 30-year-old laughs them off now.

“Mentally, I’m alright,” he said. “Don’t stress, it’s all good from this side.

“Just need to be smarter. I’ve got so much left to prove. I know what I possess, it’s just about showing it and letting the world know we never left.”

The easygoing Spencer touched down in Sydney earlier this week, and watched Tszyu’s brief workout at Bondi Boxing closely on Wednesday afternoon.

The pair first met in 2022 as Tszyu prepared to fight Terrell Gausha in Minnesota.

Tszyu has spent his entire training camp in Sydney. Picture: Grant Trouville ©

Spencer fought on the same card, as well as past opponents Murtazaliev and Brian Mendoza.

Spencer said they met at the gym, but didn’t think they’d eventually be fighting one day.

“He was a bit further ahead of me – he was getting ready for a title shot, and I was more of a prospect,” Spencer told this masthead. “He had good hype, good skills and a great name.

“Anyone who’s in my division with a name or hype, I want to fight.”

A win over Spencer tees up a potential long-awaited showdown with Keith Thurman, and Spencer says the pressure is all on ‘The Soul Taker’.

“They’ve had that Keith Thurman plan for a long time, and it’s my job to spoil it,” he said. “They’ve got their plans, but I’m sure he’s not overlooking this fight.

“He’s in the top 10, a win will put me in the top 10 and line me up for where I want to be.

“Then, there will be great opportunities after that.

“The pressure’s all on Tim, definitely. I don’t have any pressure. He’s in a heavy spot right now, he’s gotta win this fight for his career, for what he holds up and represents.

“He’s got a country he represents, and a name he represents that holds a lot of weight. He has to fight through that, and there’s a lot of pressure involved with that.

“We’ll see how he comes through.”

Originally published as ‘Swinging like an idiot’: Tim Tszyu’s brutal assessment ahead of the most important fight of his career