Aussie boxing legend Jeff Fenech has raised concerns over Tim Tszyu’s choice to face American contender Joey Spencer on April 6 in Newcastle. Fenech attributes this decision to Tszyu’s team, which reportedly encouraged him to fight a local opponent, specifically mentioning Michael Zerafa. However, Tszyu resisted this suggestion, insisting on the matchup with Spencer, who boasts a professional record of 19 wins and only one loss.
Tszyu, coming off two consecutive defeats, faces the risk of further damaging his career if he falls short against Spencer, who is considered a formidable challenger, especially following Tszyu’s recent struggles. At 30, Tszyu expressed his unwillingness to take a gentle approach after his demoralising loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev and also suggested that his father’s presence during fights may have been distracting.
Fenech agrees that while having Kostya Tszyu around can be distracting, he remains skeptical about Tim’s choice of opponents. He believes Tszyu should be guided by trainers who genuinely understand the sport and are committed to making strategic decisions for his path forward. Fenech commented that Tszyu is an exceptional athlete who doesn’t shy away from any challenges, but insists that the responsibility of selecting an appropriate opponent should lie with more knowledgeable figures within his camp.
He labelled Tszyu’s management as a “circus,” expressing that the current strategy is contributing to Tszyu’s recent losses. Fenech respectfully stated that for Tszyu to reclaim his standing in boxing, he needs to approach his career methodically, choosing opponents based on suitability rather than simply accepting every fight. Fenech emphasised the importance of taking calculated steps rather than making reckless decisions that could jeopardise Tszyu’s future in the sport.
Fenech, who recently guided Tyson Pedro to victory, highlighted the responsibility of trainers to protect their boxers from risking unnecessary injuries. He pointed out that in their previous bouts, poor decisions led to Tszyu facing avoidable risks, and he believes the team failed to properly support him during critical moments in the ring.
Tszyu’s team is aware of the implications of a potential loss to Spencer, as it could significantly jeopardise his career trajectory. While Tszyu could succeed and regain his confidence, Fenech cautions that Spencer’s capabilities make this fight challenging, particularly if Tszyu carries doubt from his last defeat.