Errol Spence is officially retired from boxing after Tim Tszyu claimed a hard-fought unanimous decision victory in Sydney, shutting down Spence’s return to the ring. This wasn’t just any fight; Spence came back after a three-year absence, following his brutal defeat to Terence Crawford and a serious car crash, stepping into the middleweight division at 36 years old. Big questions hung over him, but nobody was questioning Tszyu by the final bell.
Tszyu’s Calculated Attack and Spence’s Last Stand
Going into this bout, Tszyu himself faced doubts. He was 3-3 in his past six outings, and people wondered if he could truly beat the sport’s elite, even after enlisting Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech as his trainer. But Tszyu put those doubts to rest, starting strong and controlling the center of the ring by Round 7. The unofficial scorecard had it even halfway through, but Tszyu’s relentless pressure soon took over. He was getting busier, mixing up his offense, and even excited the partisan Sydney crowd with a big right hand. Spence, meanwhile, was popping single shots off his back foot, struggling to find the clean punches he desperately needed.
The later rounds showed Tszyu truly taking command. By Round 8, Tszyu was working close range, though Spence did respond with some sharp lefts and even received a final warning for low blows. Tszyu started firing off combinations, making it a tight round, but Tszyu won it on ring control. Round 9 saw Tszyu thudding a right hook into Spence’s head and finishing on the front foot. The tide was turning hard. Even when Spence snapped Tszyu’s head back with a long left in Round 10, Tszyu fired right back, popping Spence’s head with a straight shot. Into the championship rounds, Tszyu was teeing off with combinations in Round 11, frustrating Spence who couldn’t land his shots. Tszyu stayed on the front foot, making that round his again.
The Final Bell: An Unforgettable Win and a Defining Moment
The final round, Round 12, was vintage Tszyu. He moved Spence around the ring with a punishing right hand to the body, stalking his opponent despite the urgency Spence required. Then it happened: Tszyu landed one of his best shots of the entire fight, driving a right hand right through Spence’s guard, sending him reeling back into the corner. The crowd was on its feet, roaring for their local hero as the final seconds ticked away. The judges’ scorecards were clear: 117-111 for Tszyu on two cards and 118-110 on the third.
This wasn’t just a win for Tszyu; it was a career-defining moment, showing he can indeed beat the best. For Errol Spence, it closes a chapter on an incredible career, a difficult return ending in an undeniable retirement. Tszyu, now past his own doubts, looks like a force to be reckoned with. The boxing world will be watching to see what he does next after this massive statement.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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