Joey Spencer’s team is banking on the word and goodwill of the Australian boxing community to ensure his scheduled showdown with Tim Tszyu in Newcastle goes ahead with independent judges.
While stopping short of threatening a boycott of Sunday’s super-welterweight blockbuster at the Entertainment Centre, the camp is furious about three Australian judges being appointed to the fight.
The American has won 11 of his 18 fights by knockout, losing just once, and looms as a huge danger to Tszyu’s hopes of resurrecting his international reputation after two world-title batterings in the US last year to Bakhram Murtazaliev and Sebastian Fundora.
Spencer, though, may walk away from the fight after being promised only one Australian judge and two internationals.
“As for things behind the scenes, I’ve told my team what they’re to do and I’m just going to leave it at that right now, as far as if that doesn’t take place,” he told AAP.
Spencer’s father and head coach Jason was also loathe to speculate about a boycott but left no doubt about his ill feelings toward Tsyzu’s promoters No Limit Boxing and the Combat Sports Authority of NSW, who were responsible for the appointment of officials.
“Joey, my son, is not an opponent. Tim could have taken an opponent for his returning flight. He chose a real fighter, a real contender,” he said.
“And, my son would never agree to come over and take a flight of this calibre with the deck stacked against them in so many different facets.
“In front of or using all Australian judgement. Who would do that?
“So, this is not a minor detail. This is a major detail, and we’re not trying to take a real strong position.
“At this point, I’m hopeful that the people involved will do the right thing and that we can go away from this stating that the Australian people, the Australian boxing commission, the promotion, that they were as we expected.
“(That) they were people of their word and they made it right.
And, if they don’t, Tszyu’s challenger knows this is boxing and how horribly wrong things can go wrong with judging, even if he dominates, and then isn’t awarded victory.
“I mean, it happens all the time,” Spencer said.
If the match-up does go ahead on 6 April, Spencer is promising to shatter Tszyu’s and No Limit’s hopes of returning to the big time and setting up a mega-fight with the likes of legends Keith Thurman and Jermell Charlo, or a mouth-watering sequel against Fundora.
“Let’s be real – 154 pounds is the best division in boxing right now,” said No Limit boss George Rose.
“The names at the top are massive, and Tim’s name deserves to be right there with them.
“A big win against Spencer, and we’re talking Jermell Charlo, Keith Thurman, Sebastian Fundora, Errol Spence, Vergil Ortiz.
“All blockbuster fights that can happen next.”
If the bout with Spencer falls over, old adversary Michael Zerafa says he’d happily step in to settle a score with Tszyu.
His name has long been linked with Tszyu, having famously withdrawn from their scheduled 2021 bout in Newcastle, citing COVID-19 concerns.
“There’s a perception that everything goes Tim’s way,” he said.
“If Joey Spencer and his team feel the judging situation isn’t fair and decide not to move forward, I’ll be ready.”
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