Tim Tszyu’s renaissance has rolled on with a unanimous win to retire American superstar Errol Spence Jr on Sunday.
Led into the middleweight battle by legendary fighter Jeff Fenech for the first time, Tszyu extended his family’s unbeaten record on home soil to 56-0 with the victory in Sydney.
It was a third straight unanimous decision for Tszyu (28-3) after one judge scored it 118-110 with two giving an extra round to Spence (28-2).
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“What’s my name!” Tszyu screamed in the ring.
“It was one hell of a show. I understand why he is one of the greats.”
Spence was accused by commentators of giving the fight away in the last rounds to protect himself — and an immediate retirement announcement all but answered that question.
“I answered a lot of questions for myself, now it’s time to go home with my family and start a new life,” he said, after his first fight since his only previous defeat three years ago.
“I’ve got my faculties in tact, my money is good, my family by my side. It’s been a great journey.”
Tszyu, five years younger than the 36-year-old Spence, jumped at the chance to put the pressure on in the opening round.
Spence targeted the body throughout and Tszyu’s corner wasn’t happy with how often he was stepping back and letting himself getting hit in the middle rounds.
“He was tired before the last round. You let him come back into it,” Fenech said after the fifth.
The Aussie stayed on the front foot in the sixth, during which Spence received his second warning from the referee.
Almost immediately Tszyu pushed again and landed shots to the body and earned the opportunity for a shot at the head.
Tszyu landed a close-range right hook deep in the seventh round and his tail was up.
Spence copped another warning in the eighth — the referee still opting against docking him a point — and started moving like he knew was behind.
Fatigue kicked in for the last rounds for both fighters and Tszyu had done enough, but a straight right with a minute to go made for an exclamation mark.
The pair shook gloves after the final bell before Tszyu embraced Fenech with smiles on their faces.
Tszyu has rebuilt his career in Australia since suffering three shattering world-title defeats in the US in 2024 and 2025.
And while a loss to Spence could have ended it all, he now has the ammo to push on for another crack at a championship belt.
Spence had not fought since suffering his first career defeat three years ago against Terence Crawford, who was in attendance on Sunday.
The American entered the arena to the voice of Archie Roach and a group of Aboriginal dancers but predictably had few fans in Tszyu’s hometown.
