Errol Spence Jr is aware that there are questions about how he’ll perform on Saturday against Tim Tszyu, but is promising to return strong after a three-year absence from the boxing world.
“There are definitely a lot of questions about how I’m gonna come back,” Spence said at the final press conference for the bout. “I’m ready and I’ve been training hard. There’s no pressure on me, because I’m not trying to prove something to anybody. I’m looking to prove to myself that I still have it.”
Spence (28-1,
22 KO) is in Sydney and ready to face Tszyu (27-3 18 KO) on Tim’s home turf, saying that the city has been great to him, and that he knows he has a tough opponent.
“I’m gonna get the best Tim Tszyu. He’s been training hard and he’s extremely focused. He knows his back is against the wall. So he’s gotta come with it all,” Spence said.
“He says he’s gonna press me and put his will on me. That’s his style. I’m gonna be one of the best versions of me. I’m focused and I’ve been training hard. I’m ready to go.”
Spence, 36, knows that Tszyu is best as a hard-charging, pressure-building fighter, and says he’s prepared for that.
“I don’t think he’s gonna be reckless, but he’s definitely gonna come at me and try to force his will on me,” he said. “Everybody comes in there to hurt the other guy. My plan is always to impose my will, beat them up and hopefully stop them.
“If the opportunity is there, I’m definitely gonna take it. I see his mentality. He’s coming in no holds barred and ready to fight. He’s the pride of Australia and he’s coming to defend it.”
‘I want to make this his last fight’: Tszyu confident Errol’s ‘had enough’
For his side of the story, Tszyu, 31, admits past shortcomings, but feels he’s facing Spence at an advantageous time.
“Years ago I remember watching Spence while I was fighting at small venues. Here we are years later and I get to do what I’ve always wanted,” he said. “I get to fight a legend who’s come to Australia. I’ve got super confidence that I’m gonna beat him.
“Errol is Errol. He does things his own way. I respect what he’s done and achieved, but there comes times in people’s journey where they’ve had enough. I think I’ve picked the right time to face Errol. But he’s supremely confident, so this should be a good fight.
“I want to punch him everywhere as hard as I can. It’s not personal, but of course I want to make this his last fight. Of course.
“When the timing is right, it’s right. I feel like this is the perfect timing for a perfect story. I’ve had my failures in my career, but I’ve always been able to bounce back and keep grinding. It’s the pursuit of achieving something hard. I think this is the biggest test of my life since I was a young kid. I’ve always fought for a moment like this.”
