The potential fight hinges on whether Tszyu beats Denis Nurja this weekend in Wollongong, but Crawford has already made his view clear on how the Spence fight will play out. Without hesitation, he sided with his former opponent, pointing out where both fighters currently stand.
Spence hasn’t fought since his ninth-round loss to Crawford in 2023. In this fight he submitted three times before being rejected. The hiatus from his career lasted almost three years, leaving questions about how much longer he had left at the highest level to return to 154 pounds.
Meanwhile, Tszyu is trying to rebuild his position after losing his WBO title and returning to competition. He will next face Nurja, knowing that a victory could push him into a bigger fight with Spence if the deal stands.
Crawford praised Tszyu for his performance so far, but stopped brief of supporting him in this matchup.
“Tim Tszyu has had a great career, he’s still going mighty. He’s achieved a lot for his experience,” Crawford said in an interview with Fight Hub TV. “Will he come back to the top and become champion again? I can’t say he won’t, I can’t say he will. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
When asked directly about the Spence fight, Crawford’s answer was more definitive.
“I think Spence beats him. At this point in both of their careers, I think he beats him.”
There is definitely a logical reason for Crawford to support Spence. In boxing, your legacy is often defined by the quality of your opponent.
If Tim Tszyu (who has recently struggled to a 2-2 record in his last four gigantic fights) comes out and knocks out Errol Spence, the immediate reaction from critics will be: “See? Spence was already shot/damaged when Crawford fought him.”
By choosing Spence as the winner, Crawford is basically saying, “The guy I beat is still an elite, world-class monster.” If Spence wins, Crawford’s 2023 performance will retroactively look even more superhuman.
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.