Errol Spence Jr has secured a 158-pound catchweight for his return fight against Tim Tszyu, with the bout targeted for July 25 in the United States (July 26 in Australia) after late negotiations forced both camps into a compromise.
Click Here To Watch Benavidez vs. Zurdo and Inoue vs. Nakatini LIVE!
Tszyu and his team had expected the fight to take place at the 154-pound junior middleweight limit, but Spence’s side pushed for a move up to 160. Talks between No Limit Boxing and Premier Boxing Champions representatives in Las Vegas stretched for hours before both sides agreed to meet in the middle at 158 pounds.
“Is he big enough to be a middleweight? Looking at him, I’m not sure. It’s tricky,” said Paulie Malignaggi to FoxSports.com Au, talking about Spence.
The discussions, which continued by phone after an initial meeting at the Wynn, were described as tense at times but respectful, with both camps determined to keep the fight on track.
The final number puts Tszyu at his highest fighting weight in years, raising questions about how he will handle the jump against a naturally bigger opponent. Former world champion Paulie Malignaggi has already questioned whether Tszyu has the size to compete effectively at middleweight.
Tszyu has fought above 154 in recent outings, but this represents a more significant move, especially against an opponent returning after a lengthy absence.
For Spence, the higher weight reflects a shift following his 2023 loss to Terence Crawford, after which concerns grew about the toll of making welterweight. His team has since leaned toward operating in higher divisions to avoid further strain.
Jumping up two weight classes after a three-year layoff is a massive physical gamble for the 36-year-old Spence.
The trade-off between health and performance seems to be at the heart of this decision. The prevailing theory is that the 147-pound limit was killing Spence.
After the Crawford loss, the narrative from his camp was that he was “weight-drained” and essentially a shell of himself by the time he hit the ring. By moving toward middleweight, he is prioritizing his health and chin.
The fight is expected to be formally announced in the United States shortly.
Last Updated on 2026/05/02 at 1:52 AM
Read the full article here