Tim Tszyu’s competitive return has been confirmed to take place on Sunday, April 6 against American Joey Spencer at Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
It marks the first step in what the Tszyu camp hopes is a charge back towards the top of the rankings, having endured a 2024 to forget in the ring.
The former WBO super welterweight champion will be fighting for the first time since his nightmare third-round knockout defeat to IBF titleholder Bakhram Murtazaliev in Florida in October.
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Prior to that, he lost his belt when going down via split decision to Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas in March.
Michigan’s Spencer, 24, is 19-1 as a professional, having won three straight bouts since a 2023 KO defeat to Jesus Ramos.
The fight with Tszyu will be Spencer’s first outside his home country but gives him the opportunity to claim a career-best victory.
A third consecutive defeat would be catastrophic for Tszyu’s future prospects but a win will help steady the ship and rebuild some much-needed confidence back on home soil.
Newcastle Entertainment Centre has proved a happy hunting ground for the Tszyu family over the years, with Tim, legendary father Kostya, and young brother Nikita, going 12-0 at the venue.
Tim last appeared there in 2021, stopping late-notice replacement Stevie Spark in the third round following Michael Zerafa’s withdrawal.
More to come.
