Errol Spence Jr Admits He Considered Retirement After Crawford

Spence admitted he considered retirement after the Crawford defeat but believes the long layoff rebuilt him physically and mentally before facing Tim Tszyu

Errol Spence Jr says the loss to Terence Crawford pushed him close to retirement before time away from boxing changed his mindset ahead of the Tim Tszyu fight. Spence believes the long layoff helped restore him physically and mentally after one of the toughest defeats of his career.

Spence has not fought since the ninth-round stoppage loss to Crawford in July 2023, a defeat that ended his run as one of boxing’s top welterweights after title wins over Kell Brook, Shawn Porter, and Yordenis Ugas.

“Definitely, there were thoughts of retirement, but I feel rejuvenated,” said Spence while discussing his comeback with Main Event.

“That long layoff has definitely helped me physically, it has definitely helped me mentally, and I am ready to show everybody what I have got left because I am sure there are a lot of doubters.

“A lot of people will be saying ‘oh, he is going to be a shell of himself’ or ‘he can’t come back’, but they always say that, eye injury, they said the same thing, car crash, they said the same thing, they are going to continue saying the same thing, and they are just adding fuel to my fire.”

The reaction around Spence’s return has stayed divided because of how one-sided the Crawford fight became and the amount of time he has spent out of the ring. Questions about his timing, durability, and weight have followed him into the Tszyu fight.

Tszyu is also coming into the bout trying to rebuild his position after a rough recent stretch at junior middleweight. The fight gives both former champions a chance to prove they still belong near the top level.

Spence and Tszyu are scheduled to fight in Australia on July 25.

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