Vinny's Corner

This Saturday, July 25, 2026 (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT), boxing returns with a massive crossroads showdown as former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. (28-1, 22 KOs) makes his long-awaited comeback against Australian former world champion Tim Tszyu (27-3, 18 KOs) in a 12-round 160-pound middleweight bout at Afterpay Arena in Sydney, Australia.

The fight headlines a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) pay-per-view card co-promoted with No Limit Boxing and is set to be one of the biggest events in Australian boxing history. Let’s take a look at the fighters.

Breaking Down the Fighters

Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. enters at age 36 as one of the most accomplished welterweights of his era. The southpaw from DeSoto, Texas, captured multiple world titles at 147 pounds and defeated elite opposition including Kell Brook, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia, and Yordenis Ugas.

Key Stats:

• Height: 5’9½”
• Reach: 72”
• Stance: Southpaw
• Record: 28-1 (22 KOs)

Strengths: Elite jab, sharp footwork, ring generalship, and legitimate one-punch power. He was once considered a pound-for-pound talent with a high boxing IQ.

Concerns: Spence hasn’t fought since his brutal ninth-round stoppage loss to Terence Crawford in July 2023. The nearly three-year layoff, combined with reports of eye surgery and a car accident in the interim, raises legitimate questions about ring rust, recovery, and whether he’s still the same fighter. He’s also moving up in weight for the first time in his career.

Tim “The Soul Taker” Tszyu, 31, is Australia’s premier boxing star and son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu. The orthodox pressure fighter captured the WBO super welterweight title and has shown durability and power throughout his career.

Key Stats:

• Height: 5’8½”
• Reach: 70½”
• Stance: Orthodox
• Record: 27-3 (18 KOs)

Recent Form: Tszyu suffered back-to-back tough losses in 2024–2025 — a split decision to Sebastian Fundora and a third-round TKO to Bakhram Murtazaliev — before rebounding with consecutive unanimous decision wins over Anthony Velazquez (Dec 2025) and Denis Nurja (April 2026).

Strengths: Relentless forward pressure, heavy hands, excellent conditioning, and massive home-crowd support in Sydney. He’s been more active than Spence in recent years.

Weaknesses: Has shown vulnerability to southpaws and high-volume technicians. His chin has been tested, and he sometimes loads up on power shots, leaving openings.

Fight Analysis: Styles, Keys to Victory & What to Expect

This is a classic skill and experience vs. activity and pressure matchup, further complicated by the 158 lb catchweight (which gives Tszyu a slight size advantage as the more natural bigger man).

Spence’s path to victory:

• Use his superior jab and footwork to control distance.
• Exploit Tszyu’s tendency to come forward by countering with sharp combinations.
• Box behind the jab early, then turn up the power in the middle rounds once he shakes off any rust.
• If Spence is anywhere near his 2021–2022 form, his technical edge should be decisive.

Tszyu’s path to victory:

• Make it ugly and physical from the opening bell.
• Pressure Spence relentlessly to test his stamina and recovery after the long layoff.
• Target the body and look for late stoppages if Spence tires.
• Use the roaring home crowd as a 13th man.

Intangibles:

• Ring rust is the biggest X-factor for Spence.
• Home advantage and momentum favor Tszyu.
• Both fighters are at career crossroads — the winner likely gets another big fight; the loser may face serious questions about their future.

Expert opinion is split. Some (like Shawn Porter and Terence Crawford’s trainer BoMac) lean toward Spence due to pedigree. Others (like Keith Thurman and Sebastian Fundora) see it closer to 50/50 or slightly favor Tszyu because of activity and the weight jump.

My Official Pick: Errol Spence Jr. by Unanimous Decision

I’m picking Errol Spence Jr. to win a competitive but clear unanimous decision (116-112 or 115-113 range).

Here’s why:

• Spence’s elite skill set and experience against higher-level opposition should still be enough if he’s even 80-85% of his former self.
• Tszyu is tough and dangerous, but he’s coming off two stoppage/near-stoppage losses and hasn’t faced anyone with Spence’s combination of power, speed, and ring IQ.
• The southpaw vs. orthodox dynamic often favors the more technically sound fighter, and Spence has shown he can handle pressure fighters.

That said, this is not a lock. If Spence looks noticeably slower or hesitant in the first few rounds, Tszyu could overwhelm him. A late stoppage for either man is very much in play.

Where to Watch

• United States & United Kingdom: Prime Video PPV (main card at 9 p.m. ET). Prelims stream on Prime Video starting at 7 p.m. ET.
• Australia: Available via Fox Sports / Kayo Sports (local time Sunday, July 26).
• Also mentioned on DAZN in some regions.
• Order the PPV directly through Prime Video or PPV.com.

Undercard highlights include Jermall Charlo vs. Koen Mazoudier and Stephen Fulton Jr. vs. Liam Wilson.

This is a must-watch fight for any boxing fan. Spence’s return after three years away against a hungry, home-country Tszyu promises drama, potential fireworks, and a clear statement about where both men stand in the current landscape.

Who are you picking — Spence or Tszyu? Let me know in the comments!

By Vinny