American superstar Keith Thurman has declared Tim Tszyu’s blockbuster showdown with Errol Spence Jr. a genuine “50-50 fight”, while also revealing a key area where he believes the Aussie star holds an advantage.
With Tszyu and Spence set to collide in one of the biggest bouts in Australian boxing history in just under eight weeks, debate continues over what version of the former welterweight king will show up.
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And according to Thurman – himself a former world champ at 147 pounds – that uncertainty is part of why it’s such a good matchup.
Speaking as anticipation builds for the blockbuster, Thurman said both men go into it with a few question marks.
“Spence has had just too big of a layoff,” Thurman told MillCity Boxing.
“That’s the biggest question mark, you know, when your layoff is long, no one’s seen you, they don’t know what version of you that they’re going to get, and of course they’re going to analyse you off of your last performance.”
“Your last performance was not that good, so what version of you are we going to see?
“Tim Tszyu, he’s been having some little tune-up fights, he’s trying to work with new trainers and you know enhance his overall ability in the ring as a boxer, so it’s going to be interesting.
“But we know he’s vulnerable – he’s been dropped a lot, he’s been hit, and he’s been stopped, so both of them have some battle scars.”
Yet there was one extra detail that appeared to nudge Thurman slightly towards Tszyu.
During the interview, the former world champ was informed the fight had been agreed at a 158-pound catchweight.
Visibly surprised by the number, Thurman suggested the extra weight would favour Tszyu, who has spent his career campaigning at junior middleweight (154 pounds) while Spence has been fighting at 147 pounds.
“He [Tszyu] is coming from a higher division,” said Thurman.
“When welterweights are adding more weight a lot of times they’re just giving themselves an excuse to be slower, in my opinion.
“Because let’s say the fight’s at 158 pounds, and then they’re going to rehydrate, so he’s going to be 168-173 by the time he gets in the ring…
“You put a solid 10-13 pounds on rehydrating.”
The American also pointed to activity as another factor working in Tszyu’s favour.
“I think Tim Tszyu has the advantage of activity, and then Spence has the advantage of pedigree,” he said.
“He’s been at another level, he’s achieved more. Even though it’s at 147, I just feel like he’s really done more, been in the ring with more world-class fighters, and had some victories against solid world-class fighters.
“Where Tim Tszyu has not been as victorious when the opposition really hits that AA class…
“It’s a solid 50-50 because they both just have some questions that need answers.
“And we’ll get our answer come July, for sure.”
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Twice linked to a fight with Tszyu himself, the fighter known as “One Time” admitted he would still welcome a showdown with either man.
Yet putting his own ambitions aside, the American said the contest is outstanding matchmaking.
“I like this fight for these two fighters. I’m not mad at it,” he said.
“I want Thurman-Spence. I want Thurman-Tszyu. I was semi-told about these fights for many years, you know. So, it is what it is.
“But when I take myself out of the picture, I like this fight for these fighters. I like this fight for the fans, too.
“I think you know it’s just where they are both at, someone [the loser] is really gonna not be that relevant, and someone’s gonna reestablish their relevancy.
“I think that’s what this matchup is really all about. So they both got a lot on the table.”
Thurman also warned that while Tszyu will always remain a major drawcard at home, a defeat could significantly hurt his standing internationally.
“Tim, if he stays busy, he’ll always be relevant in Australia,” he said.
“But on the world scene, if he doesn’t get a win here, his overall relevancy really diminishes, in my opinion.”
Tszyu previews mega-clash with Spence Jr | 14:08
The comments come only weeks after Thurman declared himself open to a showdown with Nikita Tszyu, revealing he would have no hesitation fighting Tim’s younger brother should the opportunity arise.
While the undefeated Sydneysider is currently enjoying a holiday following his recent victory over Oscar Diaz, Code Sports has reported discussions are underway about adding him to the Tszyu-Spence undercard.