Tim Tszyu has branded Errol Spence Jnr a “disrespectful f***” following an intense altercation prior to the Las Vegas press conference announcing their July 26 showdown in Australia.
As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia, the bout will be at a catchweight of 158 pounds, despite Tszyu and his team having initially believed it would take place at super welterweight.
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It was also confirmed the bout will take place in Australia, although no location has still been announced.
Tszyu and No Limit boss Matt Rose flew out of Australia on Thursday night for what has been a whirlwind couple of days, which included an emergency meeting with US promoters PBC to determine a weight for the fight.
Then this morning, the pair held a press conference where Tszyu took aim at the American superstar, who he said refused to shake his hand when they initially met up backstage prior to proceedings kicking off.
“I’m a very respectful guy,” Tszyu said at one point. “I came up to him before and tried to shake his hand – he just walked past me like a disrespectful f***.
“That just shows the type of person he is.
“And that’s alright. He’s talking about the comparisons between me and my dad, I’ve heard it all.
“Every fighter I’ve ever fought has said the same thing. It’s alright …”
Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence Jnr face off.Source: FOX SPORTS
At which point Spence interjected from across the stage: “Bro, I don’t play games.
“When people talk s***, and then when you see me it’s ‘hey, what’s up’, all buddy buddy. I’m not one of those dudes bro. I’m not one of those guys.
“When you talk s*** on social media and then when you see me you want to shake my hand …”
At which point, Tszyu then cut in: “I’m very respectful, what are you talking about? I’ve been calling you one of the best fighters of this decade.”
At which point the pair went at it some more before Spence deadpanned “give me a hug after the fight”.
But still Tszyu wasn’t done.
Asked for his final thoughts, he grinned: “Victory, victory. I was only going to give him a shake [of the hand] and a huge because it’s his last fight. Just trying to be nice and friendly.
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Speaking earlier, Tszyu also took aim at a fighter who was long on the world’s pound for pound list.
“They call him ‘The Truth’, the ‘Big Fish’,” he said.
“I’ve always said I’m hunting the biggest fights and biggest names and now I’ve got one right in front of me.
“I’ve kept the receipts from everything he’s said about me – the tweets, the doubt, all of it.
“This motivates me even more to knock him out.
“I respect what Errol Spence Jr. has done in this sport, but that was then.
“While he’s been staying away, I’ve been in the fire. I’ve taken my hits, I’ve learned the hard way, and I know I’ve come back better. I’m ready to retire him.
“I’m undefeated at home and he’s stepping into my backyard. While he’s trying to prove he’s still there, I’m about to prove that ‘The Truth’ was a lie all along.”
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At one point in the press conference, Tszyu compared the July showdown to his father’s famed world title win against Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez, way back in 2000.
“You know back in the day my dad fought Julio Cesar Chavez,” he said.
“And growing up he used to think of Chavez as the number one guy.
“[Then] he got to fight him. And beat him.
“So this is the type of moment where I get to reflect because I grew up watching Errol Spence, and being at that top calibre.
“And now I get to fight him.
“This is my Julio Cesar Chavez moment.”
Asked for a reply, Spence shrugged: “I think that’s cute. But it ain’t what this is.
“This is Errol Spence versus Tim Tszyu.
“He’s not the calibre of his daddy. He can’t compare himself to his pops.
“He’s fighting me. He is trying to get out of his daddy’s shadow. We’ll see July 26 if he can get out of that shadow”.
Which was when things kicked off, and Tszyu branded Spence a “disrespectful f***”.
Elsewhere, and when asked about the catchweight, Spence said simply that he had “earned that right”.
Earlier in the Las Vegas press event, Spence had also praised Tszyu.
“He’s a balls-to-the wall type fighter,” the American said when asked to describe his rival.
“Tremendous heart. He never gives up and he always comes to fight.
“I’m going to tell the truth … he’s a guy that comes to fight and if you’re not in shape he’s gunna put all that to the test. Very good fighter.”
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Tszyu, meanwhile, also gave praise to the man who has been out of the ring three years, saying: “I’m expecting the best version, the guy who came to fight Kell Brook back in the day.
“I know he throws a lot of punches. Drowns people. I know the type of style he’s got and it’s going to be a cracking fight.”
Asked about going straight into a fight against Tszyu, in Australia, Spence said: “I don’t take tune up fights. I want to fight someone who is up for the challenge. I look forward to looking up after the fight and seeing how everyone has left the arena because they were disappointed.”
Later, he added: “I’m about moments, that’s something I enjoy.
“I don’t know if it’s just some type of sick gratification but to fight someone in their hometown, and beat him in front of I don’t know how many fans … that’s going to be a great moment.
“I liked the feeling when I went to Sheffield [and beat Kell Brook] and I’m looking to do the same thing again.”
Tszyu, meanwhile, also had his take on Spence not taking a tune up fight.
“It’s definitely not recommended to go straight into the firing line,” he said. “It would’ve been better to start off slowly.
“He doesn’t feel like he needs tune ups which is far enough. It’s going to be fireworks from the opening bell.”
No Limit’s Matt Rose also gave a timely reminder for Team Spence.
“You have to remember, the Tszyus are undefeated in Australia,” he said, referencing the incredible run of wins involving Tim, Hall of Fame father Kostya, and undefeated young brother Nikita.
“They’ve never been beaten in Australia.
“And I know what this is going to do in terms of Errol having to come out to Australia and compete with that. With the fans, acclimatize to somewhere completely different …”
At which point Spence interrupted.
“I’ve been there, done that,” he said. “I’ve been to Sheffield and done that. I’ve been there [travelled] through the amateurs and done that.
“So what are you talking about? We’re talking about pedigree here.”
Rose: “We’ll see July 26, we’ll work it out then”.
The promoter added the undercard would be announced in coming weeks and promised the event will be “special”.
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No Limit CEO George Rose added: “Make no mistake, this is absolutely huge.
“A truly global event that delivers exactly what boxing fans deserve right now.
“You’ve got Errol Spence Jr., one of the biggest names of this era, stepping into Tim Tszyu’s backyard, where he remains undefeated.
“This fight has been building for a long time, with plenty said along the way and neither fighter has ever taken a backward step.
“We’ve seen fighters come to Australia talking a big game before … [but] it is a different kind of pressure here in Australia when the whole country gets behind you like they do with Tim.
“It’s elite versus elite, a genuine crossroads fight where the winner does not just win, they once again become the main man in an absolutely stacked division.
“This is a fight that defines legacies and No Limit Boxing can’t wait to host it, right here in Australia.”