Tim Tszyu tells Errol Spence “talk is cheap” after threatening to upset his Australian fans

Everything Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence Jr. said to each other during sit-down with host Shawn Porter

In a newly released conversation, former unified world champion and pound-for-pound great Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and Australian superstar and former world champion Tim Tszyu exchanged verbal jabs in a special presentation of “PBC Face To Face” before they meet in a pivotal showdown that headlines a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video and DAZN taking place Saturday, July 25 (U.S. date and time) from Afterpay Arena in Sydney Australia.

The full conversation can be watched HERE via the Premier Boxing Champions YouTube channel, and began with Spence and Tszyu litigating the icy moment of Spence refusing to shake Tszyu’s hand before their announcement press conference.

“I respect him, but we’re gearing up for war,” said Spence about the incident. “I’m coming into his home country. He’s looking to retire me, and I’m looking to take over and disappoint him and his fans. I’ll shake his hand after the fight, but right now, it’s time to go.”

“If we’re gonna play like that, it’s alright,” responded Tszyu. “Everyone’s to each to their own. I get how it is. I’m sweet with that. It’s no war right now, it’s gonna be war on fight night. It made me a little less happy, and a little more focused. I’m locked in.”

When asked by Face to Face host and former world champion Shawn Porter about how this fight came to be after Spence’s extended absence from the ring, Spence indicated that the ability to travel into his opponent’s home territory, combined with Tszyu’s considerable standing in the sport, made this the right fight for his return.

“This fight came at the perfect moment,” said Spence. “This was the first time I started training continuously and kept waking up every day feeling like I was ready to come back. I didn’t want a tune-up, so when Tim Tszyu got brought up, I said I’ll fight him in Australia. That’s what I do. We’ve been doing it since the amateurs. This is nothing new to me. I enjoy it. I love to hear the fans booing. I’m ready for it.”

When pressed about why he wouldn’t take an easier fight after three years outside of the ring, Spence remained steadfast that he needs a real challenge like Tszyu to perform at his best.

“I want to fight someone that people have doubts about me beating them. That’s what gives me more motivation. They gotta ask if I’m the same killer. I’m coming to prove to myself and to everybody else that I am still the biggest, in any division that I’m in.”

For Tszyu, he’s began to refer to himself as the “Phoenix” as he looks to rise from the “ashes” after a series of defeats at the highest level of the sport, and show that he’s still got what it takes to return to the rank of world champion. On top of that, Tszyu explained that he’s highly motivated to be victorious in the biggest fight in Australian history and earn the best victory of his career to date.

“Every fight is do or die,” said Tszyu. “But with what I’ve gone through, and with the position I’m in now, this is a real spread your wings and fly type of moment. I intend to grab it with both hands.

“I’ve fought on the stages that I dreamt of as a little kid. Now we’re bringing the biggest boxing match that’s ever come to the shores of Australia. That’s another proud moment, but the number one moment for me would be to win this fight.”

Spence and Tszyu will both be entering the ring with new coaches in their corners, as Spence has joined forces with renowned trainer Ronnie Shields, while Tszyu has teamed up with Australian former world champion Jeff Fenech. Each talked about their new partnership in the back and forth, and believes that we’ll see a combination of their previous greatness, combined with new wrinkles implemented by their corners.

“I feel like I’m in school when I’m working with Ronnie,” said Spence. “I’m learning a lot, It really gets me excited to get back in the gym each day. I had been doing the same thing for 15 years. I feel like me and Ronnie meshed together well. I knew by the second day that I was sticking with him.”

“Over the years I’ve learned a lot of different things,” said Tszyu. “As Spence said, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I went through the same situation. That’s why I did decide to change up my team. I’m learning new things with Jeff, but I’m going to bring everything I’ve learned throughout my life in boxing into this fight.”

The Face to Face closed with another tense moment between the soon to be combatants, as Porter asked each if they felt their opponent was ready. After Spence responded in the affirmative, Tszyu simply stated “we shall see…” which led to Spence stating that he felt Tszyu was being dismissive.

“You know how I come,” stated Spence, before challenging Tszyu to an impromptu sparring session.

“When it comes to fight night, all the plans change when you get hit,” said Tszyu. “That’s what it’s gonna be. I respect what you’ve done in your career, but you haven’t had a fight in three years, how can I say I know definitively that you’re ready?”

The icy nature between the two champions continued into final words, portending what shapes up to be an explosive clash on July 25.

“Just be ready,” said Spence. “I’m looking forward to coming to Australia and disappointing you and your fans.”

“Good, talk is cheap,” replied Tszyu. “I’ll let my actions do the talking.”