American superstar Errol Spence Jnr can’t say what impact Jeff Fenech will have on Tim Tszyu’s fighting style for their hyped July 26 blockbuster – because he doesn’t know who the Australian Hall of Famer is.
The declaration comes as Spence has also laughed off Tszyu’s claims about coming for his retina – which required surgery after a 2021 sparring incident – while also suggesting nobody in the US is even aware the sledge was made.
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Speaking with Main Event’s Jonathan Brown this week, Spence has taken the big stick to both Tszyu and his new training team, and only days after standing Team Tszyu up at a proposed satellite Face Off.
As revealed by Fox Sports Australia last week, Tszyu and Fenech were both left waiting for over an hour at Fox Sports Sydney studios after the American failed to show for an agreed satellite showdown.
After waiting in studio for what they had been told was a delay, Tszyu then learned his rival was not showing — despite the interview having been signed off by promoters No Limit.
Tszyu branded Spence Jnr a disrespectful “diva” before vowing to viciously target his damaged left eye.
“I’m coming for every limb,” Tszyu said. “That’s it. Simple. Especially that retina.”
Asked about the TV interview no show, Fenech also added: “Spence thinks he’s f***ed us mentally … it hasn’t worked”.
“I f***ing bashed all his fighters” | 00:59
Yet when asked his thoughts on the retina comments this week, Spence revealed the whole thing had been completely ignored by US media.
“So I don’t make nothing of it,” he shrugged. “If I said something like that? It would be way bigger.
“If I was like ‘I’m coming for his retina, he could go blind’ people would say something about it. But Tim said it and nobody really say anything. I guess that shows his threat level.”
Elsewhere, Brown asked Spence his thoughts on Tszyu having signed on with Fenech.
After initially rising to a world title under the tutelage of his uncle, Igor Goloubev, Tszyu then shocked the boxing world last year by switching to the Miami, Florida gym of famed Cuban trainer Pedro Diaz.
Yet after then fighting his way to decision wins against Anthony Velazquez and Denis Nurja, The Phoenix has now changed up again, employing four-time world champion Fenech for the Spence showdown.
So as for what all this means to the American?
“We’ll see,” Spence deadpanned. “I don’t really know too much about his coach. I think he had a come-forward style or whatever. Tim is going to try and put on a show in front of his fans.”
Spence also suggested that if Tszyu tries to fight the same way as in previous title losses against Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev, he can expect the same devastating results.
“I’ve noticed his losses,” the former welterweight king continued. “I guess that makes him hungrier. But I definitely see the weaknesses and the openings.
“He has a new coach now and I think they’re going to change the game plan up a little bit. If not, I think it might go the same way as his other fights where he gets stopped.”
So you’re tipping a stoppage?
“They don’t call me ‘Man Down’ for no reason,” he grinned.
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Asked why he agreed to fighting Down Under, the popular Texan continued: “I just wanted something new. I didn’t feel like fighting in Dallas so I decided to come to Australia. They gave me Tim Tszyu and I said ‘I’ll take the fight’.”
“I’ve been feeling good. Training hard. Super focused.
“I’ve been listening to my coach Ronnie Shields and leaving no stone unturned.
“I love Ronnie’s style. Love how he implements game plans. It’s been night and day from [previous] fights that I’ve had.”
The American also spoke about sparring with former Tszyu victim Brian Mendoza – “he’s a great fighter, great sparring partner” – and doubled down in his now infamous press conference handshake snub.
“Shake his hand for what? I don’t know him,” the fighter told Brown.
It was also at that same Las Vegas press event where Spence raised Kostya Tszyu’s name, saying of his eldest son: “He’s no calibre of his daddy.
‘I don’t even know Mazoudier’ – Charlo | 11:09
“He can’t compare himself to his pops. He’s fighting me, trying to get out of his daddy’s shadow. So we’ll see come July 26 can he get out of that shadow”.
Asked about that this week, Spence said: “Everyone knows Kostya Tszyu was a great fighter. Great amateur. And now he [Tim] is trying to get out of his daddy’s shadow.
“But Tim is a super tough fighter and has a lot of heart. He’s going to come and fight.”