Robert Garcia doubts whether Errol Spence Jr will be able to rediscover the qualities that made him one of the “best players” in the sport from 2019 to 2022.

“The Truth” was once considered the top 10-pound-for-pound operator when he dethroned Shawn Porter and Yordenis Ugas to unify the WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight titles

Around this time, many even predicted he would beat Terence Crawford, and only he did they lost their uncontested clash after a one-sided stoppage in the ninth round in 2023

Spence has remained out of the ring since then, but now plans to revive his career with a fight against Tim Tszyu, a former world champion, on July 25.

The pair will face off in Australia at the 158-pound catchweight, and Tszyu will have the home advantage as he too looks to reclaim his place on the world stage.

His last appearance at the world level ended with a defeat in the seventh round against Sebastian Fundora, who ended their first meeting in 2024 with a split decision.

That same year, Tszyu came close to a devastating third-round victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev, but is now coming off back-to-back victories following his rematch with Fundora last July.

Spence, on the other hand, seems to be taking quite a risk by jumping right into a perceived 50/50 conflict, with top coach Garcia telling him: ESNEWS that the 36-year-old would be forgiven for taking a “preparatory fight”.

“Errol Spence was a damn tough guy – one of the best players.

“When he fought Crawford, you could tell it wasn’t the Errol Spence we were used to, he didn’t look good at all.

“Three years later, he wants to return to boxing – and he has no intention of starting [with] tuning fight. I think he doesn’t know what’s left for him and if he improves the situation he could get his ass kicked.

– That’s probably why [made] decision to directly enter into a fight with Tim Tszyu. If he’s fresh and good, he can win.

As Garcia points out, there is no way to know how much Spence has left due to inactivity, which is a immense part of what makes this such an intriguing matchup with Tszyu.

According to Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, Tyson Fury has been asked to stand reports from LBC and Paper i.

LBC reported that sources close to both the former unified heavyweight champion and the party confirmed that Fury was not interested in politics. The same report shows that Reform UK and Fury have been contacted for comment.

The context of the approach

The reports come as Reform UK prepares for a by-election in Makerfield, Greater Manchester, triggered by the resignation of Labor MP Josh Simons to make way for Andy Burnham. In the local elections held earlier this month, Reform won the eight Makerfield wards with 50.4% of the vote, Labor on 22.7% and the Greens on just under 11%, according to LBC.

Farage said the party would “throw absolutely everything” at the seat, LBC reported, and was looking for huge names to spearhead its campaign in the region.

Fury’s previous political interests

This isn’t the first time Fury’s name has been linked to a political campaign. In 2015 he told the BBC he wanted to become MP for Morecambe and intended to stand as an independent MP. “I want to make a change for the better where I live,” Fury said at the time, according to an LBC summary of earlier remarks. “I believe I will succeed because I have an influence on the city’s inhabitants.”

This campaign never came to fruition. Fury, now 37, lived in Morecambe, Lancashire, for about 17 years before moving to the Isle of Man last year, citing privacy and security.

Back to the Ring

Fury returned from a 16-month absence on April 10, taking a unanimous decision over Arslanbek Makhmudov. He then called Anthony Joshua to the ring and reports have since pointed to a Q4 2026 meeting between the two British heavyweights backed by Turki Alalshikh and Ring Magazine.

Reform UK has not publicly named a candidate for the Makerfield by-election.

Teofimo Lopez doesn’t seem impressed with the growing rumors surrounding a possible fight between Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson.

Ryan said earlier Monday during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take that he believed he could become “the face of boxing,” while Shakur later responded publicly, urging Ryan to continue the fight between the two.

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Last updated: 18/05/2026 at 15:53