Errol Spence Jr. Returns, Is It The Right Move

Errol Spence Jr. ends a near three-year absence from boxing when he steps through the ropes against Tim Tszyu on July 25.

It will be the first fight of Spence’s career at 154 pounds and his first bout since one of the biggest losses in recent welterweight history. On July 29, 2023, Spence was stopped in the ninth round by Terence Crawford, surrendering his unified WBC and IBF welterweight titles in the process.

Crawford — widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world at the time — controlled the fight from the outside before finishing it late. The loss cost Spence his unbeaten record, his belts, and, as it turned out, the better part of three years of his prime.

Spence returns now with a changed corner. Long-time trainer Derrick James, who guided Spence through his entire championship run, has been replaced by Ronnie Shields. The switch signals a deliberate reset — new division, new trainer, and a new opponent who has every reason to believe this is his moment.

The Statistics

Tszyu, 31, publicly called out Spence following his win over Denis Nurja on April 5 — the second consecutive victory since a stoppage defeat to Sebastian Fundora in July 2025 derailed his title ambitions. He is five years younger, settled at 154 pounds, and enters on the back of active ring time that Spence simply cannot match.

A Spence win would announce one of the most compelling comebacks in recent memory and push him immediately into title contention at super welterweight. For Tszyu, it would represent a statement win over a former two-belt world champion and put him back in the conversation for another shot at a title.

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