Joey Spencer vs Tim Tzsyu Preview April 5th, 2025
Former WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Tim Tzsyu of Australia returns to the ring in his homeland this Saturday, April 5th when he takes on Joey Spencer of Grand Blanc, Michigan. The 10-rounder from Newcastle can be seen live on Amazon Prime Saturday night in North America and on Sunday afternoon in Australia. Tzsyu was last in action in October when he was stopped in the third round by unbeaten IBF Champion Bakhram Murtazaliev. It was his second straight loss as he dropped a split decision to WBC Champion Sebastian Fundora in a title unification bout last March. Tzsyu suffered a wicked head cut in that bout but went the distance and lost his WBO Title in the process. Spencer’s last fight resulted in a 10-round majority decision over Miguel Angel Hernandez in December.
Spencer vs Tzsyu Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Joey Spencer +400
- Tim Tzsyu -600
My Pick
The Tszyu name is well known in boxing as Tim is the son of former world champion Kostya Tszyu and the brother of Nikita Tzsyu. The 30-year-old climbs into the ring with a mark of 24-2 with 17 Ko’s. He stands just under 5-feet-9-inches tall with a 70.5-inch reach and possesses better-than-average power as 70.8 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage but has gone the distance in four of his last six fights and has lost two in a row.
Tszyu has boxed 144 rounds since making his pro debut in 2016 following a good amateur career and has also captured the interim WBA Oceania, WBO Asia Pacific, WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental, IBF Australasian, Commonwealth, WBO Global, and Australian Super Welterweight Titles since turning pro. Tszyu’s first step up in class came in August, 2020 when he stopped former world champion Jeff Horn in the seventh round.
He then halted former world champion Tony Harrison in the ninth round in March, 2023 to claim the Interim WBO Title and was elevated to full champion when Jermell Charlo was stripped of the belt when he fought Canelo Alvarez. Tszyu has also faced and beat legitimate contenders in Carlos Ocampo, Brian Mendoza, Terrell Gausha and Takeshi Inoue as they fought for world titles in the past and also has wins over the likes of Dennis Hogan, Wade Ryan, Steve Spark, Jack Brubaker, Ruben Webster, Larry Siwu, Denton Vassell, Joel Camilleri and the late Dwight Ritchie.
Spencer is just 25 years old and makes the ring walk with a fine record of 19-1 with 11 Ko’s. He’s got 94 rounds of pro experience under his belt since making his debut in 2018 following a good amateur career. As an amateur he reportedly had a 90-10 record and won the 2015 U.S. Junior (Under-17) Championships, made it to the 2015 World Junior (Under-17) Championships and won the 2016 U.S. Junior (Under-17) Championships.
At 5-feet-10-inches tall with a 70-inch reach, Spencer is 1.5-inches taller than Tzsyu and gives up a minimal half inch in reach. As far as power is concerned, he doesn’t match Tzsyu as 57.9 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage and he’s halted just two of his last eight opponents. Spencer’s lone defeat came at the hands of Jesus Ramos Jr by way of a seventh-round TKO in 2023 after being dropped in round one. His biggest wins have been against Erik Spring, Isiah Seldon, James Martin, Kevin Salgado Zambrano and Janer Gonzalez.
Prediction…
Tzsyu is on the comeback trail after losing his last two bouts and it’ll be interesting to see how he reacts if getting hit solidly by Spencer. Tzsyu displayed tremendous heart while losing a lot of blood in his loss to Fundora and kept getting up from the canvas against Bakhram Murtazaliev, so his will to win can’t be questioned. Spencer took a step up in class against Jesus Ramos a couple of years ago and couldn’t handle his power as he was stopped in the seventh round. He’s definitely a good young prospect but is taking a step up in class again this weekend. And although he should have his moments, I’m expecting Tzsyu’s experience and power to be too much for him.
Spencer will give it a good shot, but fall just short.
Play: Tzsyu -600 @ BetOnline.ag
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Joey Spencer betting • Tim Tszyu betting