After nearly three years away from the ring, Errol Spence Jr. is finally preparing for his comeback. The former unified welterweight champion will return on July 26 in Australia when he faces former world champion Tim Tszyu in a highly anticipated 158-pound catchweight bout. But before turning the page to the next chapter of his career, Spence is taking a hard look back at the fight that changed everything.
In a revealing conversation with Andre Ward on “All The Smoke Fight,” Spence admitted that his preparation for his devastating loss to Terence Crawford in 2023 was plagued by problems long before he stepped into the ring.
For years, boxing fans debated what happened to Spence during his undisputed welterweight showdown with Terence Crawford. Now, Spence says the answer is simple.
His training camp fell apart. “Man, that camp was bull—-,” Spence admitted. “Yeah, bro, the whole camp. I didn’t spar for probably six or seven weeks. It was just a lot of stuff that went wrong in that camp.”
The fight ultimately ended with Crawford dropping Spence three times before stopping him in the ninth round to become the undisputed welterweight champion. According to Spence, the issues extended far beyond what fans saw on fight night.
Lifestyle Choices Caught Up to Him
The 36-year-old also acknowledged that old habits resurfaced before the biggest fight of his career. Spence has previously been open about struggles with alcohol, and he admitted that his lifestyle outside the gym negatively affected his preparation.
“It got to a point where my body felt like I was back to living wrong before the Crawford fight,” Spence said. “You can’t get into camp thinking you’re young and everything is going to be all good.”
Spence believes he learned a valuable lesson from that experience. Even when not actively training for a fight, he now understands the importance of maintaining discipline year-round.
A Different Approach for the Comeback
As he prepares for Tim Tszyu, Spence says things are much different this time around. The former champion has focused on maintaining a healthier lifestyle and staying active throughout his lengthy layoff.
“I’m cool now because I’ve been living right,” Spence explained. “I haven’t been drinking and none of that. I am still working out. Once I get into camp, I am free-flowing.”
The veteran believes that consistency outside the gym has allowed him to enter training camp in a much stronger physical and mental position.
New Team, New Beginning
One of the most notable changes ahead of the Tszyu fight is Spence’s coaching situation. For this comeback, he has turned to respected trainer Ronnie Shields to guide him through training camp.
The partnership represents a fresh start for a fighter looking to prove he still belongs among boxing’s elite despite years of inactivity. The matchup against Tszyu presents a significant challenge, but it also offers Spence an opportunity to immediately reestablish himself in the sport.
Perhaps the most revealing moment of the interview came when Spence admitted he seriously questioned whether he would ever return to boxing.
“I didn’t know if I was going to box ever again,” Spence said. “I felt like that before the Crawford fight. That’s why I took so long off.”
For a fighter who spent years at the top of the welterweight division, the uncertainty surrounding his future was very real. Yet after years of reflection, recovery, and rebuilding, Spence believes he’s ready for another run.
Tszyu Fight Carries Massive Stakes
The bout with Tim Tszyu is more than just a comeback fight. It’s an opportunity for Spence to prove that his career isn’t defined by one difficult night against Crawford.
A victory over Tszyu would immediately thrust him back into conversations involving the biggest names in boxing. A loss, however, could raise serious questions about whether the former champion can still compete at the elite level after such a lengthy absence.
Spence understands what’s at stake. “I’m still going to fight,” he said. “It is what it is. I’m not going to make any excuses. Whatever criticism comes with it, comes with it. At the end of the day, I am doing it for a bigger picture.”
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
