Errol Spence Jr retires after Tszyu loss: 'I don't remember 12 rounds feeling like that'
Errol Spence Jr announced his retirement from boxing following a unanimous decision loss to Tim Tszyu in Sydney on Saturday night, telling DAZN backstage that three years away from the ring had taken their toll. The former unified welterweight champion, who jumped two weight classes to face Tszyu at middleweight, dropped all three scorecards 117-111, 117-111, and 118-110 in a one-sided bout at Afterpay Arena.
Spence, 36, admitted the 12-round distance felt harder than he remembered. "I don't remember 12 rounds feeling like that, like, that was a long 12 rounds," he said, per Bad Left Hook. "But I'm happy I finished the 12-round fight (after) being off for a three-year layoff." The southpaw showed flashes of his old timing but visibly slowed as the fight wore on, his stamina issues compounding the speed and power deficits. Tszyu controlled range without needing sustained pressure, out-pointing Spence round after round.
Why Spence walked away with his faculties intact
Spence (28-2, 22 KO) confirmed in the ring that he was done, citing his family and his financial security. "I don't want to be like one of these other boxers that don't have any more faculties, just fighting just to make money and things like that," he told DAZN. "I'm OK financially and I'm fine, I can ride off into the sunset." When pressed to clarify his retirement, Spence replied, "Yeah, for sure. I've got my faculties intact. My money is good and working for itself, so everything's good, man."
Tszyu (28-3, 18 KO) praised Spence afterward, saying the win topped any world title for him. The Australian had worried privately before the fight about facing a legend, but said he now feels strong at 160 pounds and wants another title shot. Spence retires as one of the best welterweights of his era, a unified champion who held multiple belts and spent years inside the pound-for-pound top 10.
Spence last fought in July 2023. His family told him after Saturday's loss that it was time to hang them up, and he agreed.
Original reporting:
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