That defeat triggered serious questions about whether Spence would ever fight again. His long inactivity and injury history only added more doubt.

Spence admitted he understands the skepticism. Even so, he revealed he had been pursuing WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora before the Tszyu fight came together.

Spence said he never intended to ease himself back with a soft return opponent.

“[Tszyu] wasn’t the best that I could get. I’m not crazy, but I fear nothing,” said Spence to Fox Sports. “So I was looking at Fundora, I was looking at top names.”

Fundora and Spence had been linked several times over the last year before negotiations eventually stalled. Fundora captured the WBC and WBO titles with his decision win over Tszyu in March 2024 and has remained one of the leading names at 154 pounds since then.

Spence also rejected the concerns about ring rust despite entering the Tszyu fight after the longest layoff of his professional career.

“I’m the type of guy who really doesn’t believe in ring rust,” said Spence. “If I look good in the gym for nine, ten weeks, why I can’t look good in the fight? That’s a mental thing.”

“I feel like come fight night, I’m gonna show everybody that ring rust is not a thing. It’s not a thing for me at all.”

The Tszyu fight is expected to take place at a 158-pound catchweight. The higher limit could help Spence test himself physically before committing fully to the 154-pound division after years of campaigning at welterweight.

If Spence defeats Tszyu convincingly, talks involving Fundora could quickly return later this year.