Errol Spence isn’t the same fighter who last stepped into a boxing ring three years ago.
According to trainer Ronnie Shields, that’s exactly why Tim Tszyu – and Aussie fight fans – should be worried.
As questions continue over whether Spence can return to the top level after his loss to Terence Crawford and a lengthy layoff, Shields insists the version preparing for Sydney next month is better than ever.
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“Everybody’s right who is saying he’s not going to be the same,” Shields told Fight Hub TV on Wednesday.
“He’s going to be better. So much better than he ever was.
“His body is well-rested. He feels really good. Everything is going great.
“Everybody thinking he don’t have anything left… Just wait.”
The bold statement comes as boxing fans have been buzzing over a series of recent training clips showing Spence looking sharp and in excellent physical condition ahead of his blockbuster showdown with Australia’s pay-per-view king.
For months, critics have questioned whether “The Truth” could ever return to his best after suffering a brutal ninth-round stoppage loss to Crawford in 2023.
Others pointed to the punishment he has copped throughout his career, as well as the lingering effects of the horrific car accident he survived in 2019.
Shields admitted he initially had his own questions, but says Spence quickly answered them in the gym.
“He never stopped working,” Shields said.
“On the first day, I told him I was going to put him through some hard workouts and it wasn’t going to be easy.
“I said, ‘Six hard rounds, and then I’ll decide whether we continue.’
“He did it. No problem.”
Spence echoed his trainer’s confidence, declaring he feels terrific as preparations ramp up for his Australian return.
“Camp has been great,” he told Fight Hub TV.
“I can’t complain at all.
“I’m putting in the work, leaving no stone unturned.
“I’m excited.”
There was also a light-hearted moment during the interview when Spence’s stablemate, Jermall Charlo, attempted to introduce him to one of Australia’s most famous culinary exports.
Interrupting the interview, Charlo offered Spence a jar of Vegemite and suggested he give it a whirl.
“It’s from Australia,” grinned Charlo, offering Spence a spoon.
“I tried it. They spread it on bread… It’s just what they eat.”
The former world champion, however, wasn’t exactly sold on the idea.
“What would my nutritionist say?” he joked.
The Vegemite exchange wasn’t the only Aussie topic Charlo was keen to talk about.
The former two-division world champ is featuring on the same blockbuster card as Spence when he takes on western Sydney’s Koen Mazoudier.
Having spent much of the past year plotting his return to the ring, Charlo said he is looking forward to the fight but admitting to knowing not much about the man he will be squaring off against.
“It dont know nothing about him,” he told Champside.
“Ronnie Shields will do everything – I’ll just put all my trust in him.
“I pretty much make the adjustments once I get in the ring.”
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When quizzed about travelling more than 14,000 kilometres for the fight, Charlo admitted the idea initially caught him off guard.
“At first I thought it was a little bit awkward, but it’s summertime so I might as well take a vacation and go whoop some ass,” he said.
“But once we get in the ring it doesn’t matter what fighter [it is].”
Apart from sharing the same trainer as Spence, Jermall Charlo is also the twin brother of that former world champ who also shares a long history with Tszyu, Jermell Charlo.
Famously, Tszyu was twice meant to face Charlo back in 2023, only for ‘Iron Man’ to, first, fracture his left hand in two places and withdraw.
The Charlo twins have a well-documented rocky relationship, with Jermall revealing he hasn’t been in contact with his brother for a while.
“I haven’t talked to my brother all year,” he said.
“My brother is in his little way about being whoever he want to be as far as getting another fight.
“I’ve been fighting. I dont care if it’s once or twice a year.
“I have not left the gym, not once…
“Im not focussed on the negative no more. I just try to stay positive and keep the ball rolling. Everytime I stop to focus on the negative, it distracts me…
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“My brother does what he do and I do what I do – and I’m doing it in a comfortable position.
“This camp I’m faster, I’m stronger, I’m wiser…
“My brother didnt even call me for our birthday.”
Reports from the US this month suggest Jermell Charlo could now be in line to face the winner of Tszyu–Spence.