The potential bout depends on Tszyu getting past Denis Nurja this weekend in Wollongong, but Crawford has already made his view clear on how a Spence matchup would play out. He sided with his former opponent without hesitation, pointing to where both fighters stand right now.
Spence has not fought since his ninth-round stoppage loss to Crawford in 2023, a fight that saw him dropped three times before it was waved off. The layoff has stretched close to three years, leaving questions about how much he has left at the top level heading into a possible return at 154 pounds.
Tszyu, meanwhile, is trying to rebuild his position after losing his WBO title and working his way back into contention. He faces Nurja next, with the understanding that a win could move him into a bigger fight with Spence if the agreement holds.
Crawford gave Tszyu credit for his run so far, but stopped short of backing him in this matchup.
“Tim Tszyu has had a great career; it’s still going. He’s accomplished a lot for what his experience entails,” Crawford said during an interview with Fight Hub TV. “Will he be back on top and become a champion again? I can’t say he won’t, I can’t say he will. We just got to wait and see.”
When asked directly about a Spence fight, Crawford’s answer was more decisive.
“I think Spence beats him. At this point in both of their careers, I think he beats him.”
There is definitely a logical case for Crawford to back Spence. In boxing, your legacy is often defined by the quality of your opposition.
If Tim Tszyu (who has struggled recently with a 2-2 record in his last four big fights) comes out and wipes out Errol Spence, the immediate reaction from critics will be: “See? Spence was already shot/damaged when Crawford fought him.”
By picking Spence to win, Crawford is essentially saying, “The guy I beat is still an elite, world-class monster.” If Spence wins, it retroactively makes Crawford’s 2023 performance look even more superhuman.
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