Errol Spence Jr ends three-year layoff to book first fight since Terence Crawford KO

Errol Spence Jr is set to end a three-year hiatus from the ring this summer.

The former unified WBA, WBC and IBF welterweight world champion will face Tim Tszyu in the Aussie’s home country on July 26.

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A venue has yet to be confirmed, though an agreement has been reached.

The bout, which is expected to be broadcast on Prime Video pay-per-view, will be contested at super welterweight, where Tszyu won the WBO’s version of the world title in 2023.

It marks Spence Jr’s debut at 154lbs and his first outing since his crushing ninth-round stoppage loss to Terence Crawford in July 2023.

Spence Jr (28-1) was knocked down three times during the undisputed bout and was thoroughly outclassed.

Throughout his time on the sidelines, Spence Jr has been in negotiations with multiple big names.

Discussions were held with reigning WBC 154lbs titlist Sebastian Fundora in 2024 and former undisputed super welterweight champion Jermall Charlo in 2025.

However, Spence Jr eventually chose Tszyu after entering into talks with the son of legendary Hall of Famer Kostya earlier this year.

Tszyu (27-3) has boxed seven times since Spence Jr last stepped between the ropes.

He picked up the WBO super welterweight crown in October 2023 via a unanimous decision victory over Brian Mendoza, but dropped it five months later in a bloody split decision loss to Fundora.

Tszyu was then thrust into an immediate world title shot against then-IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev.

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Murtazaliev subsequently blew away Tszyu inside three rounds, leading to a step-down fight against Joseph Spencer, which the Aussie won in four.

He was unable to build upon the momentum in his next outing as he was retired on his stool at the end of the seventh round in a rematch against Fundora.

A bout with Spence Jr now provides Tszyu with the opportunity to re-establish himself at 154lbs after two lopsided points wins against underladed opposition at middleweight.

Who are both men trained by now?

Tszyu, 31, recently announced he would be changing trainers for the second time in the space of a year, replacing Pedro Diaz with Jeff Fenech.

Spence Jr, 35, split with long-time trainer Derrick James in early 2024 and was later embroiled in a two-way lawsuit over unpaid training fees.

He has since been seen working with Ronnie Shields ahead of his return to the ring.

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.