Errol Spence Jr. made a catchweight of 158 pounds for his comeback fight against Tim Tszyu, with the bout targeted for July 25 in the United States (July 26 in Australia) after late negotiations forced both camps to compromise.
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Tszyu and his team expected the fight to take place at the 154-pound junior middleweight limit, but Spence’s team insisted on a move to 160. Talks between No Limit Boxing and Premier Boxing Champions representatives in Las Vegas stretched for hours before both sides agreed to meet in the middle at 158 ​​pounds.
“Is he big enough to be a middleweight? Looking at him, I’m not sure. It’s tough,” Paulie Malignaggi told FoxSports.com Au about Spence.
The talks, which continued by phone after an initial meeting at the Wynn, were described as tense but respectful, with both camps determined to keep the fight on track.
The final number puts Tszyu at his highest fighting weight in years, raising questions about how he’ll handle the jump against an obviously bigger opponent. Former world champion Paulie Malignaggi has already questioned whether Tszyu has the size to compete effectively at middleweight.
Tszyu has fought above 154 in recent bouts, but this represents a more significant move, especially against an opponent returning from a long absence.
For Spence, the higher weight reflects a shift after his 2023 loss to Terence Crawford, after which concerns about the toll of welterweight increased. His team has since tended to work in higher divisions to avoid further tension.
Jumping up two weight classes after a three-year layoff is a massive physical gamble for the 36-year-old Spence.
The trade-off between health and performance seems to be at the heart of this decision. The prevailing theory is that the 147-pound limit killed Spence.
After the Crawford loss, the narrative from his camp was that he was “weight-draining” and essentially a shell of himself by the time he hit the ring. By moving up to middleweight, he’s prioritizing his health and chin.
The fight is expected to be formally announced in the United States soon.
Last updated on 2026/05/02 at 01:52
