The exchange happened away from the stage and cameras used for the formal face-off, giving it a different tone than a typical staredown. Tszyu appeared relaxed as he reached out. Spence showed no interest in engaging.
Tszyu later reacted to the snub, calling Spence a “disrespectful f***” following their earlier online back-and-forth.
The fight is set at a 158-pound catchweight and marks Spence’s return after nearly three years out of the ring. Tszyu has remained active and is expected to test him early.
Seeing Errol in that soldier mindset suggests he’s treating this less like a sports competition and more like a personal mission.
By blowing off the handshake, Spence is signaling that the three-year layoff hasn’t softened his competitive edge. It’s a psychological play that tells Tszyu he isn’t viewed as a peer or a dance partner, but as an obstacle. For a guy like Tszyu, who has been incredibly active and likely expects a rusty version of the former champ, that kind of intensity is a wake-up call.
It shifts the narrative from a standard return fight to something much more volatile. If Spence is truly locked in with that level of focus, it suggests he’s looking to prove he’s still the elite operator who dominated the welterweight division.
Fan reaction online is mixed, with some viewing the moment as typical pre-fight build-up while others criticized Spence for declining the gesture.
The clip circulated quickly and added edge to a promotion that had already picked up after the initial press conference.
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