Errol Spence Jr. Receives Warm Welcome Upon Arrival In Australia

The former unified welterweight champion receives a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony before declaring he plans to take over Tim Tszyu’s backyard on July 25

Errol Spence Jr. has arrived in Australia ahead of his July 25 fight with Tim Tszyu, receiving a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony after landing in Sydney. The former unified welterweight champion then declared he plans to “take over” Tszyu’s backyard despite expecting a hostile reception.

The former unified welterweight champion landed alongside longtime trainer Ronnie Shields and the rest of his team following a 15-hour flight from Los Angeles. No Limit Boxing arranged the welcome ceremony through the Rose Brothers, proud Indigenous Australians who promote Tszyu, giving Spence his first taste of Australian culture before fight week begins.

Spence said the reception made an immediate impression after the long journey.

“It was dope, man, getting welcomed by the Aborigines as soon as I came out after a long flight. I’m happy about it. It woke me up a little bit.

“I’m going to enjoy it a lot down here. It’ll be a dope event. Hopefully when I come out, not everyone will boo me, and I’ll put on a great show.

“I’m the big fish. I’m going to take over his backyard.”

Despite fighting on Tszyu’s home turf, Spence made it clear he has no concerns about traveling across the world for one of the biggest fights of his career. The 35-year-old said accepting the bout was never an issue and dismissed any suggestion that leaving the United States gave Tszyu an advantage.

“If I was scared I wouldn’t have taken the fight. In Australia I’m the big fish. I’m the A-side. If I didn’t want to fight here, I don’t have to fight here.”

The bout marks Spence’s first appearance since his lengthy absence from the ring and represents one of the highest-profile boxing events staged in Australia in recent years. With both fighters now in the country, attention will quickly shift toward next week’s public events before they meet in the ring on July 25.

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