Errol Spence Jr will end three years of inactivity in July when he faces Tim Tszyu in Australia.
The main event will mark Spence’s first time bouncing back from defeat, following a conclusive stoppage loss to Terence Crawford in 2023 for the undisputed welterweight title.
Due to the nature of that loss and past injuries, many felt Spence’s time as a fighter had come to an end, and were expecting a retirement announcement rather than the confirmation of a comeback.
Despite fears he will no longer be the same elite fighter – worries Spence has admitted he shares – the former unified champion was angling for an even tougher test than Tszyu.
Speaking to former opponent Shawn Porter on FOX Sports, Spence confirmed that the long-rumoured clash with Sebastian Fundora was top of his hit list.
“[Tszyu] wasn’t the best that I could get. I’m not crazy, but I bar nothing. So I was looking at Fundora, I was looking at top names.
“I’m the type of guy I really don’t believe in ring rust. If I look good in the gym for nine, ten weeks, why I can’t look good in the fight? That’s a mental thing … I feel like come fight night I’m gonna show everybody that ring rust is not a thing. It’s not a thing for me at all.”
WBC super-welterweight champion Fundora had openly discussed the Spence fight, with several rumoured dates coming and going over the past twelve months. ‘The Towering Inferno’ instead faced Keith Thurman back in March, retaining his belt by sixth-round stoppage.
Should Spence beat Tszyu and look good doing it, he may well look to re-enter those talks. His return will be set at a catchweight of 158lbs with a view to making it down to 154.
