Tim Tszyu vs. Joey Spencer: Former champion’s takedown, tale of the tape, how to watch and details for the fight card

As Tim Tszyu prepares to save his boxing career, one former world champion has already written him off and another ready to take him on after the bout against Joey Spencer. Details for the fight here.

Keith Thurman is ready to welcome Tim Tszyu to “The Thurman Show”, but another former world champion says “The Soul Taker’s” days as an elite fighter are over.

Meanwhile, Tszyu revealed he’ll put on as much as 10kg between Saturday morning’s weigh-ins and Sunday afternoon’s fight with Joey Spencer as he battles to save his career in Newcastle.

Thurman scored an impressive three-round stoppage of Brock Jarvis last month and is expected to face Tszyu if he beats Spencer this weekend.

Tszyu vs. Spencer | SUN 6 APRIL 11AM AEDT | Tim Tszyu makes his highly anticipated return to the ring as he looks to push himself back into world title contention against Joey Spencer | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

Tszyu and Spencer face off on Saturday. Picture: Roni Bintang/Getty Images

Keith Thurman (L) beats Brock Jarvis (R) in Sydney last month. Pictures: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

The winner of that proposed showdown can book themselves a world title shot later in the year.

But one-time WBC super-welterweight world champion Sergio Mora believes that’s as close as Tszyu will get to becoming champion again, with the American saying he can’t come back from his shock knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev in October.

“Once you lose that chip on your shoulder, and become vulnerable, you don’t get that back again,” Mora said.

“Tim Tszyu lost against Sebastian Fundora, but that was a bloody fight and he lost it with the elbow.

“But then came the Murtazaliev fight, and that was a beat down.

Sergio Mora says Tszyu can’t win another world title. Picture: Sam Wasson/Getty Images

Tszyu must bounce back from a knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev. Picture: Alex Menendez/Getty Images

“That was just a three round destruction. A whipping. You don’t come back from that.

“He can come back and maybe get a world title shot again, but to become champion again, in his 30s, I’m gonna say no.”

Tszyu tipped the scales at 69.86kg at 8am on Saturday, and by midday already weighed more than he did when he fought Murtazaliev.

That fight, nearly six months ago, was under IBF rules, which stipulate fighters must not put on more than 10 pounds by a second weigh in on the morning of the fight.

Tszyu believes he’ll be a whopping 10kg heavier than the 69.9kg super-welterweight limit by the time he fights Spencer.

“I’m allowed to drink, I’m allowed to eat. I’m not supposed to have just 200 grams of rice and 100 grams of chicken,” he said. “It’s a good feeling, I’ve gotta be honest with you.

Tszyu weighed in on Saturday morning. Picture: Roni Bintang/Getty Images

“A lot of times the weight cut is a battle, and then there was the next battle with another weigh in. I don’t know why they do it, I’m glad it’s not on for this one.

“I’m big, I’m filled out. I feel strong.”

Despite Tszyu’s confidence, Spencer is adamant he’ll be heavier than the Aussie when they first touch gloves on Sunday.

“I guarantee you I’ll weigh more than him before the fight,” said ‘The Small Town Soldier’ who weighed 69.74kg. “I don’t think I looked as tired as him this morning at the official weigh-ins.

“He looked like he had a hard time.”

After an officiating fiasco earlier in the week, Tszyu hinted at another backroom drama after revealing he only found out last week that the fight is a 10-rounder rather than 12.

“Ten rounds? Really? We’re championship fighters,” he said. “Again, it’s probably them and their contracts.

“Whatever, bro.

“I’ve been doing 13-14 rounds in sparring. I’m ready to go. I’ve prepared like it’s a 12 round fight.”

American loudmouth Thurman, who was a fan favourite in the lead-up to his comeback win over Jarvis a month ago, will be watching this weekend’s fight closely, and is open to flying back Down Under for a scrap with Tszyu.

“They really enjoyed having me out there – their fighters don’t know how to sell a fight,” Thurman told Boxing Scene. “It was the Thurman show, Australia was flabbergasted.

“The contract seems like something they want to send my way, and I’ll be happy to receive it.”

Keith Thurman during his recent welterweight bout in Las Vegas against Mario Barrios, Nevada. Picture: Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

Tszyu spent the last few days of his weight cut training at the Newcastle Knights’ Centre of Excellence.

Bradman Best was a keen observer of Saturday’s weigh-ins, with the Knights playing the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium just hours after Tszyu’s must-win fight.

Tszyu tipped the fiery Jack Hetherington as a likely contender to step into the boxing ring one day.

Tyson Frizell and Tim Tszyu. Picture: Getty Images

“It was good catching up with Kalyn (Ponga), Tyson (Frizell) and Bradman, who loves his boxing,” he said. “And Jack Hetherington, man, he is certainly someone keen to jump in the ring one day.

“He really understands the technical side of the sport, he asked me a heap of questions and looks like he would be a handful in the ring.

“Catching up with Danny (Buderus) was awesome too — I remember hanging out with him as a kid when Dad was the man.

“It’s guys like him and Joey that made Newcastle the best at the time.

“Being back in Australia, and especially Newcastle, means a lot to me and my family. It’s a second home and they have our back. I’m ready to defend the kingdom whilst they are in Sydney.”

How to watch Tszyu vs. Spencer?

The fight is on Main Event pay per view, and Kayo Sports.

What time is Tim Tszyu fighting?

Expect Tszyu and Spencer to fight at 2pm (AEST), 1.30pm (ACST) and 11am (AWST).

What time do the fights start?

The first fight on the prelims starts at 9:30, and the PPV broadcast begins at 11am.

Tim Tszyu vs. Joey Spencer undercard

Tim Tszyu vs. Joey Spencer – 10 Rounds | WBO Inter-Continental Super Welterweight Title

Brandon Grach vs. Liam Talivaa – 8 Rounds | Australian Heavyweight Title Eliminator

Endry Saavedra vs. Mikkel Nielsen – 10 Rounds | WBO International Middleweight Title

Koen Mazoudier vs. Dan Hill – 10 Rounds | Australian Super Welterweight Title

Callum Peters vs. William Lenehan – 5 Rounds | Welterweight

Brent Walton vs. Isaias Sette – 5 Rounds | Catchweight (78kg)

Prelims

Andrei Mikhailovich vs. Blake Wells – 6 Rounds | Middleweight

Cody Beekin vs. Ryan Daye – 5 Rounds | Middleweight

Cooper O’Connell (Professional Debut) vs. Benjamin Amos – 4 Rounds | Super Lightweight

Originally published as Tim Tszyu vs. Joey Spencer: Former champion’s takedown, tale of the tape, how to watch and details for the fight card