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Less than a fortnight out from the biggest fight of Tszyu\u2019s hyped career, the boxing world is increasingly split over whether the longtime Australian poster boy continues his resurrection on July 26 in Sydney.<\/p>\n
Given Tszyu has lost all three of his most recent world title showdowns \u2013 against Fundora twice, and Bakhram Murtazalia once \u2013 he is currently a $2.20 Sportsbet outsider.<\/p>\n
Spence, meanwhile, is $1.70.<\/p>\n
Among those tipping the American this week are Judah, a former welterweight king, who was also famously stopped by Tszyu\u2019s Hall of Fame father Kostya some 25 years ago inside the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. <\/p>\n
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Tszyu\u2019s former sparring partner Issac Hardman also admitted that \u2013 while he wants only success for the Aussie poster boy \u2013 picking against Spence is almost impossible.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Currently, those on Team Spence include the likes of Terence Crawford, Teofimo Lopez, Timothy Bradley, Shawn Porter, Brian Mendoza, Brian \u2018BoMac\u2019 McIntyre, and Shakur Stevenson.<\/p>\n
“Daddy’s shadow” Spence fires at Tszyu | 10:36<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In an interview with US media in recent days, Fundora insisted his former foe will triumph in the Harbour City headliner.<\/p>\n
\u201cI favour Tszyu,\u201d said The Towering Inferno. \u201cHe\u2019s been more active and they\u2019re fighting in Australia. That\u2019s a big factor. That\u2019s a huge factor. I don\u2019t know if Spence has ever even been to Australia\u201d.<\/p>\n
The \u2018Towering Inferno\u2019 is backing TszyuSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Fundora also suggested Spence\u2019s inactivity will become noticeable once the fight begins.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat layoff is going to show some,\u201d he continued. \u201cI understand losing and coming back to fight, like I did. I lost, I came back maybe a year later, but I was training still.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis guy\u2019s been out of the circle for what, maybe three years? That\u2019s too much time, and you know he wasn\u2019t training. So we\u2019ll see \u2026 [but] I don\u2019t favour him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tszyu\u2019s former sparring partner Hardman, however, is adamant Spence can absolutely win \u2013 despite, of course, wanting to see his fellow Aussie prevail. <\/p>\n
Having recently crossed from boxing to the International Brawling Championships, the popular Queenslander will tonight defend his middleweight title <\/a>on the Gold Coast against Mikey Vaotuua \u2013 and on a card which will be shown live on Kayo Sports and Main Event.<\/p>\n Back when Hardman was climbing up the world middleweight rankings, he sparred over 100 rounds with \u2018The Phoenix\u2019. So as for his take on the fighter who is now readying for what shapes as the most important fight of his career?<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the outside looking in,\u201d Hardman started, \u201cit feels like Tim has been having a hard time finding his feet. And with a lot of things.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been ducking and diving between coaches, moved overseas, came back, and is now with Jeff Fenech. So I think Tim\u2019s a little scrambled at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he is trying to find a path that\u2019s right for him. And, look, I really hope he does.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Errol Spence Jnr is a massive f***ing fish to fry. And I\u2019m just not sure Tim has enough grease in his kitchen to start cooking that fish.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n \u2018YOU WANNA SPAR?\u2019: Spence offers to throw down with Tszyu in tense TV moment<\/a><\/p>\n