Tim Tszyu gets a harsh reality check from Eddie Hearn just before the most important fight of his life – as his opponent gets a big win

Boxing promotor Eddie Hearn has issued a reality check to Tim Tszyu ahead of one of the most important fights of the Australian’s career. 

The legendary Matchroom promoter believes that the ‘jury is out’ on the ‘Soul Taker’s’ credentials as a world-class champion.

Tszyu, a former WBO junior middleweight champion, is looking to bounce back from two successive defeats this Sunday, as he takes on American fighter Joey Spencer in Newcastle.

The fight is a dangerous one for Tszyu. His career is currently on the ropes, having lost to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev in 2024. A third defeat to Spencer could hinder the Australian’s chances of Tszyu making a return to the top of the sport.

‘That was a bad beating he got last time. A really bad beating,’ Hearn said, speaking on his defeat by Murtazaliev to The Daily Telegraph.

During that bout, Tszyu was sent to the canvas three times in the second round before being beaten by a technical knockout in the third.

‘I think it’s fair to say the jury is still out on Tim Tszyu,’ Hearn added.

‘The reality is can Tim win those elite level fights… because that’s another whole level.

‘This fight coming up should be a good one for Tim. He should beat Spencer, but the problem for Tim is he is now dropping back to arguably fringe world level.

‘There’s no shame in that.

‘Sometimes you step up to that world level and you just aren’t good enough.’

Tszyu lost his WBO junior middleweight title to Fundora back in 2024, sustaining a horror cut on his head after he caught an accidental stray elbow from the American during the bout.

The 30-year-old’s fight record now sits at 24-2, and while Hearn believes he is a brave athlete who possesses a lot of heart, there is one glaring issue that has held him back.

‘Tim is a good fighter, but I worry about the way he fights,’ Hearn added.

‘I worry about the wars that he has been in and how that might affect his resistance.

‘Aussie boxing fans talk about Tim Tszyu but every time he steps up to world level, proper world level, he has got beat.

‘When you stay in Australia and you beat up on fringe world-level guys, you think you are invincible and you fight a certain style.

‘Tim thought he was too big, too strong and could walk through anyone. Then he faces a guy like Murtazaliev and you think bloody hell, there’s another level of beast out there.’

Tszyu has rubbished claims that the Murtazaliev fight has had an impact on his career or current mindset.

But Hearn added: ‘Tim is a real fighter with real heart but sometimes you can get carried away.

‘There is a massive difference between fighting in the Australian market and then going to the world stage. You can’t just walk through people at that level.’

Tszyu had previously planned to move to Florida prior to his fight with Fundora in order to improve his chances of fighting on the world stage.

But those plans were put on hold following his defeat by Murtazaliev. Tszyu had also gotten married to his fiancee Alexandra Constantine in the summer, thus delaying the plans even further.

‘Tim’s promoters (No Limit) have done a great job with him, he needs a confidence win against Spencer and then I’d take him back to America.

‘The one thing is he is a must-watch TV, Tim will not struggle to get opportunities because people think they can beat him and he is good to watch.

‘But Tim can’t afford too many fights like that Bakhram loss, it can shorten his career.’

Tszyu knows better than anyone else the permutations of this bout.

‘This is sink or swim now,’ the Aussie said.

‘If I want to prove myself on that world stage I need to demolish this guy.

‘Pressure builds diamonds, I don’t feel the pressure but sometimes you need it and I’m ready for it.’