Errol Spence Jr retires after lopsided Tim Tszyu defeat in first fight since battling Terence Crawford

Errol Spence Jr has announced his boxing career is over.

The 36-year-old said it was time to ‘start a new life’ when he made the decision moments after a unanimous decision defeat to Tim Tszyu in Australia.

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Former welterweight champion Spence was returning to the ring for the first time in three years, having not fought since losing the WBC, WBA and IBF titles at 147lbs to Terence Crawford.

The American, now 28-2 in his professional career, had been fighting out of new trainer Ronnie Shields’ gym in Houston after leaving long-time coach Derrick James in 2024.

The build-up to his fight with Australia’s own Tszyu at Sydney’s Afterpay Arena was clouded with drama, as Spence had a request to change the weight from 158lbs to 160lbs approved just 11 days out.

Tszyu, who had lost twice in his past five fights to Bakhram Murtazaliev and Sebastian Fundora, also vowed to retire Spence from competition once and for all during Friday’s press conference.

And the Australian did exactly that, cruising to a career-best victory after 12 rounds of action in the middleweight division Down Under on Sunday, despite Spence being a favourite heading into the main event.

Spence: I’ve got my faculties intact

“It was a good showing by Tim,” Spence explained after his defeat to Tszyu, now 28-3, with the judges’ scorecards reading 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111.

“I asked a lot of questions for myself. Now, it’s time to go home with my family and start a new life.”

Pressed on whether Tszyu was the final fight of his career, the American responded: “Yeah, for sure.

“I’ve got my faculties intact — my money is good and working for itself.

“Everything is good. I’ve got a beautiful family. I thank God that I’m gracious enough to leave this sport with my faculties intact.

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“Everything is going to go well.”

Spence’s former foe Crawford, who has also retired from competition in the last year, was front-row for the event and believes it was the correct decision.

“Yeah, he’s been in a lot of wars,” ‘Bud’ told Fight Hub TV.

“With his fighting style, come forward, take some punishment, dish some punishment and try to break somebody down — that type of style, it can only go so far.

“He was off balance. He just didn’t have it tonight.”

Tszyu, meanwhile, wants another crack at world honours following his victory.

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“I want to win a world title, but beating a great like Errol Spence beats any world title for me,” the 31-year-old said.

“[Middleweight’s] my new division and I feel strong. It was one hell of a show.

“I had sleepless nights thinking about the depths I was headed. I understand why he’s one of the greats. Let’s go party.”

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