Tim Tszyu has accepted Errol Spence Jr.’s request to move their upcoming fight to the full 160-pound middleweight limit. The Australian stated his priority is to face the best version of Spence without any post-fight excuses regarding weight issues for the July 26 bout.
The contest was originally scheduled for a 158-pound catchweight, but Spence’s team made a late request for the two-pound allowance. Tszyu’s immediate approval was driven by a desire for the fight to proceed smoothly and for his opponent to be comfortable. “I just wanted him here. I wanted the fight to happen. I’m not a diva. It’s whatever, man, whatever. I’m an easy guy,” Tszyu explained. His reasoning is to nullify any potential claims that a weight cut may have weakened the former unified welterweight champion.
By agreeing to the new limit, Tszyu ensures he will face an opponent who is not depleted from a difficult weight cut. This removes a significant variable and allows both men to prepare for the best version of each other. Tszyu made his objective clear. “I just don’t want any excuses. I want him here, refreshed, rejuvenated, make sure he’s not struggling with weight, make sure everything’s on point, because I wanna beat up the best Errol Spence.”
Tszyu admitted he found the late request unusual but did not hesitate to agree. The change was reportedly linked to a shift in Spence’s travel schedule to Australia. “I was notified on Saturday whether or not I would accept the change. And apparently it was because he was supposed to come [to Australia] a bit earlier, but now he needs a little bit of extra time, because he’s flying in a bit later, to adapt to the change. So, I don’t know. Whatever they say, whatever, man. For me, it was like, ‘All right, whatever,'” he said.
With the weight now set, all focus turns to the high-stakes encounter in Sydney. For Spence, the fight represents a critical test as he moves up to a new division following his loss to Terence Crawford. For Tszyu, it is a career-defining opportunity to defeat one of the most decorated boxers of the era on home soil. His concession on the weight underscores his confidence ahead of the biggest challenge of his professional career.
