Next weekend, Australia is set to stage its biggest boxing event of the year as Tim Tszyu collides with the returning Errol Spence Jr on home turf, but 11 days out from the fight there has been a request to change the weight.
Tszyu has found it difficult stateside despite prior expectation that he could take over the division, holding a 1-3 record when fighting in the U.S. compared to his 26-fight unbeaten streak Down Under.
Now, against the biggest named opponent of his career, it is he who will have the home backing, as Spence enters the lion’s den after a three-year stretch of inactivity, which has followed his unsuccessful bid for the undisputed welterweight title in 2023.
Ahead of his return, Spence had hoped to take on Tszyu in the middleweight division, whilst the Aussie planned for a super-welterweight affair – a disagreement which resulted in a three-hour meeting that culminated with a 158lb catchweight compromise.
Yet, with the fight around the corner, Tszyu’s newly-appointed trainer Jeff Fenech has told FOX Australia that Spence is now requesting that the weight be changed for a 160lb bout instead.
“They’re wanting to go up two pounds, [they] want the fight at 160.
“But OK, Tim Tszyu is a big kid. I remember his father Kostya used to put up to 20 pounds back on after weighing in. And his son is the same.”
It is understood that Tszyu has agreed to the demand, whilst it is also being reported that both Spence and Jermall Charlo, who fights on the undercard, are having administrative issues that could delay their arrival into Australia – a possible excuse behind Spence’s late request to alter the weight.
