Tim Tszyu: “This is my redemption tour”
Former world champion and Australian superstar Tim Tszyu will return to the ring to take on rising contender Joey Spencer in the super welterweight main event of PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video action on Saturday, April 5 (U.S. date and time) from the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, Australia.
The event will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, with the action streaming exclusively on Prime Video for all Prime members in the United States and select countries. Join today or start a free 30-day trial to catch the card.
A superstar in his native Australia, Tszyu hopes to bounce back from a world title defeat in his last outing with a victory over the talented contender Spencer, who enters this fight on a three-bout winning streak and who can earn his own signature victory on April 5.
The event is promoted by No Limit Boxing and The Rose Brothers, in association with TGB Promotions.
“Tim Tszyu does not take easy fights,” said George Rose, CEO of No Limit Boxing. “He could’ve taken a softer option, but that’s not who he is. He wanted the toughest challenge available, and that’s exactly what Joey Spencer brings to the table. Spencer is a two-time PBC Prospect of the Year, he has devastating power and he’s looking to make a massive statement in the super welterweight division. This is an all-risk fight for Tim, but that’s the only way he operates…Joey Spencer is coming to rip everything away from Tim, and that’s what makes this fight absolutely unmissable.”
“Tim Tszyu is in nothing but action fights and when he goes up against the hungry and explosive Joey Spencer, they will surely combine for fireworks down under in Australia and on Prime Video,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Tszyu is beloved in his home country and there’s no doubt that it will be an electric atmosphere that will bring the best out of both Tszyu and Joey Spencer.”
TIM TSZYU vs JOEY SPENCER
The son of International Boxing Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, Tim Tszyu has already joined his father in the ranks of world champion and will look to further his place in this era of 154-pound greats with a big 2025 that he’ll kick off by facing the rising contender Joey Spencer in a 10-round super welterweight clash that headlines action on April 5.
The 30-year-old Tszyu (24-2, 17 KOs) will return to action after a tumultuous 2024 that saw him come up on the short end of two action fights, with his most recent bout coming to undefeated IBF 154-pound champion Bakhram Murtazaliev in October.
Prior to that fight, he challenged now WBO and WBC 154-pound world champion Sebastian Fundora, losing a decision after suffering from one of the most gruesome cuts in boxing history due to an accidental elbow. Tszyu showed his mettle in fighting through the blood and making it to the final round, but came up on the wrong side of a split-decision.
Tszyu came into that fight off a red-hot 2023 campaign that saw him elevated to world champion at 154-pounds while defeating former world champion Tony Harrison, top contender Brian Mendoza and former title challenger Carlos Ocampo. A native of Sydney, Australia, Tszyu made his U.S debut against U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in March 2022, earning a unanimous decision. Tszyu grew up playing soccer, but soon gravitated toward boxing. The decision led to him following in the legendary footsteps of his father, Kostya, who was an undisputed 140-pound champion.
“This is my redemption tour,” said Tszyu. “I’m coming back stronger, hungrier and ready to prove a point. There’s no easing back in – no tune-up fights – just straight into the fire with a very, very good fighter in Joey Spencer. He’s a real fighter, a dangerous opponent and exactly the kind of challenge I crave… I’m here to make a statement. If I have to walk through fire to get back on top, so be it. This is what I live for.”
The 24-year-old Spencer (19-1, 11 KOs) turned pro in February 2018 and immediately caught the eye of fans and pundits with his combination of speed, power and athleticism. Spencer earned a career-best triumph in September 2022 as he controlled the action throughout and scored a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Kevin Salgado. The Linden, Mich., native’s victory over Salgado made him 16-0 and led to an opportunity for him to face a fellow then-unbeaten top contender under 25 in Jesus Ramos Jr. in March 2023.
Spencer lost the step-up bout to Ramos, which served as the co-main event to the David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant pay-per-view event, and will now look to prove his mettle with another chance against elite competition in the 154-pound division. After that fight, Spencer returned in December 2023 to defeat Marcelo Fabian Bzowski, before knocking out veteran Janer Gonzalez in the sixth round of their August 2024 matchup. He most recently made it a three-fight winning streak last December, as he earned a decision over the previously unbeaten Miguel Angel Hernandez.
“I’ve watched Tszyu for a long time – his style, his mentality – the guy’s a real warrior,” said Spencer. “He’s the kind of fighter who doesn’t back down. He takes on all comers, no excuses, he just gets in there and fights…I’m coming to take him out. I’m not here just to share the ring with him. I’m coming to win. Period.”
