The opening rounds were closely fought. Tszyu knocked Spence off balance with a right hand in the first, while Spence answered with a clean left and invested early in body work. Tszyu stayed patient, finding success with right hooks against the southpaw as both men traded momentum through the first half of the contest.

The fight changed after the midway point.

Tszyu increased the pressure, drove right hands to the head and body and gradually took control of the exchanges. Spence’s output dipped after his long layoff, while the younger Australian continued to close the distance and force him onto the back foot.

“The advice from corner was to get in there,” Tszyu said. “I’m trying to replicate Kostya Tszyu and my trainer Jeff Fenech. If I can be half as great as them, I’ll go down as a great man.”

Spence fought back in the championship rounds and searched for an opening that could change the fight, but Tszyu answered with the cleaner punches and controlled the pace. The Australian finished strongly, picking his shots to the head and body before sealing a clear decision on the scorecards.

Middleweight suits Tszyu.

“Middleweight is my new division and I feel strong,” Tszyu said. “This was one hell of a show. There were sleepless nights where I was thinking about facing a legend like Spence. I understand why he’s one of the greats.”

The victory puts Tszyu back among the leading contenders as he targets another world title opportunity.

“I’d love to fight for a world title. I want Erislandy Lara and all the champions,” Tszyu said. “That’s what I’m aiming for. But beating a great like Errol Spence tops any world title for me.”

Spence, meanwhile, reflected on his future after only his second fight since 2023.

“It was a good fight and congratulations to Tim,” Spence said. “It was a good showing by Tim.

“I answered a lot of questions for myself and now it’s time to go home with my family and start a new life. I’ve got my faculties intact and my money is working for itself. I’m thankful to leave this sport with my family by my side.”

If those words mark the end, Spence leaves as one of the defining welterweights of his era. Tszyu leaves Sydney with his title ambitions fully restored.