Key points:
- Errol Spence Jr. lost a unanimous decision to Tim Tszyu (117-111, 117-111, 118-110) and announced his retirement afterward
- Spence cited his health, family, and financial security as reasons for stepping away
- The fight was Spence’s first appearance since a nearly three-year layoff
- Tszyu earns the biggest win of his career on home soil in Sydney
Errol Spence Jr. ended his boxing career on Saturday night, moments after Tim Tszyu handed him a unanimous decision defeat at Afterpay Arena in Sydney.
Judges scored the fight 117-111, 117-111 and 118-110 for Tszyu, who took gradual control after a competitive start and wore Spence down with pressure and volume over the second half. Spence, returning from a layoff of nearly three years, showed flashes of his old ability but couldn’t match Tszyu’s output down the stretch.
“It was a great fight. Congratulations to Tim and Jeff Fenech. It was a good showing by Tim. I answered a lot of questions about myself, and now it’s time to go home with my family and start a new life,” Spence said, before confirming the decision to retire. “Yeah, for sure. I’ve got my faculties intact. My money is good and working for itself, so everything’s good, man. I’ve got a beautiful family and I thank God that I’m able to leave this sport with my faculties intact and my family by my side. Everything’s going to go well.”
At 36, Spence chose to walk away on his own terms rather than chase another title run, closing out a career that included multiple welterweight world titles and wins over several of his era’s best. For Tszyu, who spent fight week promising to finish Spence’s career outright, the win moves him straight into the super welterweight title picture.