Tszyu Brutally Stops Spencer; Calls Out Thurman
Tim Tszyu returned to winning ways with a fourth-round stoppage win against Joey Spencer.
The former WBO Junior Middleweight Champion put his recent poor form behind him. He was coming off losses against Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev. The Fundora loss meant he dropped his WBO Junior Middleweight Champion in the first defeat of his career. Tszyu also failed to pick up the vacant WBC belt. The Murtazaliev bout also prevented him from getting the IBF belt at 154. Tszyu had plenty to prove, and he delivered on the biggest stage.
The first round was cagey, as both men tested the waters with their jabs. Tszyu pressed the action in the second, pushing his man back. The Australian let his hands go in the third, with shots to the body and head. He was winning the exchanges, as Spencer’s right eye was swollen. He had Spencer on the ropes in the fourth, as his team threw in the towel.
In his post-fight comments, Tszyu called out Keith Thurman. They were on course to face each other in 2023. However, Thurman pulled out of the fight after suffering from a bicep injury. Thurman returned to form this year, stopping Brock Jarvis in his last fight. Thurman also called out Tsyzu, setting the narrative for that fight.
Reaction
“No pressure. I couldn’t do a third consecutive loss. I hope I teach people that if they drop and shit hits the fan, they can always get back up. In all honesty, it was the critics, they’re always going to be there but for me, it was proving it to myself and I proved it to everyone in the world – I’m back, baby. I learned from my mistakes, you don’t go in like a hot head from the first round and just abandon everything.
“There was a bit of pressure! I couldn’t do a third consecutive loss. I hope I teach people that if they drop to the floor, they can always rise back to the top. The critics are always going to be there. I proved it to everyone in the world. I’m back, baby. I’m back!. Sign the contract, big boy. Sign the contract. If the fans want it, we can bring a mega-show to Australia,” Tszyu said
Full Card
Tim Tszyu beat Joey Spencer by TKO in round 4.
Liam Talivaa knocked out Brandon Grach in round 5.
Endry Saavedra won by TKO in round 8 against Mikkel Neilsen.
Koen Mazoudier beat Dan Hill by unanimous decision after 10 rounds (scores: 98–91, 100–89, 99–90).
Callum Peters stopped William Lenehan in round 1 by TKO.
Isaias Sette won a unanimous decision over Brent Walton after 6 rounds (all judges: 48–46).
Blake Wells narrowly beat Andrei Mikhailovich by split decision after 6 rounds (scores: 58–56, 59–55, 56–58).
Cody Beekin stopped Ryan Daye in round 2 by TKO.
Cooper O’Connell also won by TKO in round 2 against Benjamin Amos.
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