American boxing great Zab Judah says Tim Tszyu will be stopped in his blockbuster showdown against Errol Spence Jnr – while an old sparring partner of the Australian has also suggested he may not have “enough grease in his kitchen” for the legend dubbed ‘Big Fish’.

However, those predictions come as WBC super welterweight king Sebastian Fundora – who has already beaten Tszyu twice – has again publicly backed ‘The Phoenix’, convinced Spence’s decision to sign off on the Sydney location is also a huge mistake.

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Less than a fortnight out from the biggest fight of Tszyu’s hyped career, the boxing world is increasingly split over whether the longtime Australian poster boy continues his resurrection on July 26 in Sydney.

Given Tszyu has lost all three of his most recent world title showdowns – against Fundora twice, and Bakhram Murtazalia once – he is currently a $2.20 Sportsbet outsider.

Spence, meanwhile, is $1.70.

Among those tipping the American this week are Judah, a former welterweight king, who was also famously stopped by Tszyu’s Hall of Fame father Kostya some 25 years ago inside the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Tszyu’s former sparring partner Issac Hardman also admitted that – while he wants only success for the Aussie poster boy – picking against Spence is almost impossible.

Hardman also questioned if Tszyu had erred by not preparing again in America for this camp, given the quality of sparring partners required for such a world class rival.

Little more than a week out from the fight, the boxing world is split over a fight set to headline what has been dubbed the biggest card in Australian boxing history.

Currently, those on Team Spence include the likes of Terence Crawford, Teofimo Lopez, Timothy Bradley, Shawn Porter, Brian Mendoza, Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre, and Shakur Stevenson.

“Daddy’s shadow” Spence fires at Tszyu | 10:36

However, some of those convinced Tszyu can get it done are not only Jermell Charlo, Sergio Mora and Shane Mosley, but former international rivals Fundora and Carlos Ocampo, the latter of whom has fought both men.

In an interview with US media in recent days, Fundora insisted his former foe will triumph in the Harbour City headliner.

“I favour Tszyu,” said The Towering Inferno. “He’s been more active and they’re fighting in Australia. That’s a big factor. That’s a huge factor. I don’t know if Spence has ever even been to Australia”.

The ‘Towering Inferno’ is backing TszyuSource: Getty Images

Fundora also suggested Spence’s inactivity will become noticeable once the fight begins.

“That layoff is going to show some,” he continued. “I understand losing and coming back to fight, like I did. I lost, I came back maybe a year later, but I was training still.

“This guy’s been out of the circle for what, maybe three years? That’s too much time, and you know he wasn’t training. So we’ll see … [but] I don’t favour him.”

Tszyu’s former sparring partner Hardman, however, is adamant Spence can absolutely win – despite, of course, wanting to see his fellow Aussie prevail.

Having recently crossed from boxing to the International Brawling Championships, the popular Queenslander will tonight defend his middleweight title on the Gold Coast against Mikey Vaotuua – and on a card which will be shown live on Kayo Sports and Main Event.

Back when Hardman was climbing up the world middleweight rankings, he sparred over 100 rounds with ‘The Phoenix’. So as for his take on the fighter who is now readying for what shapes as the most important fight of his career?

“From the outside looking in,” Hardman started, “it feels like Tim has been having a hard time finding his feet. And with a lot of things.

“He’s been ducking and diving between coaches, moved overseas, came back, and is now with Jeff Fenech. So I think Tim’s a little scrambled at the moment.

“But he is trying to find a path that’s right for him. And, look, I really hope he does.

“But Errol Spence Jnr is a massive f***ing fish to fry. And I’m just not sure Tim has enough grease in his kitchen to start cooking that fish.”

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Elsewhere, Zab Judah was more definitive, throwing his support behind Spence.

During an interview with MillCity Boxing this week, the former world champ was shown footage of Tszyu’s next rival training with new coach Ronnie Shields.

“I like him, I like him,” Judah said of the fighter who hasn’t fought in those three years since being comprehensively beaten by Terence Crawford.

“Ronnie Shields is doing a marvelous job with him.

“He’s got him moving his head and throwing punches. That’s the Ronnie Shields movement. Yep, I remember these days. Move your head, throw the punches, slide around, keep moving. Walk your feet, use the jab.”

When it came to a prediction, he continued: “Listen, I know for a fact we’re gunna see a different Errol Spence to what we seen in the Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford fight.

“And I’m predicting that Errol Spence stops Tim Tszyu. A late stoppage.

“And the reason I say a late stoppage, Tim Tszyu is going to be very sharp early. He’s going to be looking to fight. He’s young, and with a lot of heart. He’s ferocious. He has tenacity. And he’s going to come in there and try to make this happen.

“And maybe for a while, because of Errol Spence’s layoff, his long layoff, it will take him a couple of rounds to figure it out.

“But once he figures it out? Later on in the fight, The Big Fish will walk Tim Tszyu down and get a late stoppage. The ninth round.

“And I need you guys to keep these tapes, so when it happens …”

Zab Judah.Source: AFP

Elsewhere, Hardman also questioned if Tszyu was getting enough quality sparring here in Australia to ready for Spence.

“Because when it comes to getting the world class rounds required for someone at Spence’s level,” Hardman warned, “it’s f***ing slim pickings here.

“And then, you’ve got to take into account that Spence is a southpaw. There just aren’t that many training partners at the level required.

“I think you have to be in America. Over there, you’ll have 10 decent super welterweights all training in one gym. But again, for that you have to travel.”

Judah’s latest comments on Tszyu-Spence are a doubling down on comments he initially made during an April interview with MillCity Boxing.

“This is the kind of fight that Errol Spence needs, a guy like Tim Tszyu,” the former two-division world champ warned.

“And why Tim Tszyu? Because he’s gunna stand right in front of Errol Spence and he’s gunna fight.

“That’s the fight we’ve known Errol Spence to dominate guys in. Anyone who stands in front of Errol Spence, he’s going to destroy them. So this [Tszyu] might be the perfect opponent Errol Spence needs to come back and show the world who Errol Spence really is.”

Judah also played down the fact that, last start, some three years ago, Spence was soundly beaten by Crawford.

“I believe he’s got the perfect opponent [in Tszyu],” he continued. “So let’s minus the Crawford fight, guys.

“Go back before the Crawford fight.

“We know the Big Fish, anyone that stands in front of him … bap.

“So Tim Tszyu possesses the perfect style [for him]. He’s going to be right there.

“He lacks a lot of defence, a lot of manoeuvres. And I think that’s where his downfall is going to be at.”