Errol Spence Jr. Reflects on ‘Living Wrong’ as He Prepares for Tim Tszyu on July 26

Errol Spence Jr. (28-1, 22 KOs) is all set to make a comeback after a nearly 3-year-long hiatus with a showdown against Tim Tszyu (27-3, 18 KOs) on July 26. With another defining fight on the horizon, Spence Jr. isn’t just training for an opponent; he’s fighting to make sure his past never beats him again.

Talking to Andre Ward on his Art of Ward podcast, the former champ confessed that his lifestyle was not the best prior to the Terence Crawford fight.

“I was back to living wrong before the Crawford fight. You can’t get into camp thinking you’re young, and everything is going to be all good now. Even out of camp, you have to live right. Once you get into camp, everything will be cool,” he said. “I’m cool now because I’ve been living right. I haven’t been drinking and none of that. I am still working out.”

The loss to Crawford wasn’t simply a case of Spence Jr. having a bad night. For years, he had built a reputation as an extremely talented but naturally large welterweight who often had to lose a significant amount of weight to make the 147-pound limit. However, as he got older, those cuts typically became harder, taking a toll on his energy levels, punch resistance, recovery, and overall sharpness.

On top of that, Spence’s career included periods where he openly admitted he wasn’t always living the lifestyle of a completely dedicated elite athlete. His 2019 drunk-driving Ferrari crash raised concerns about his habits outside the ring, and although he returned to beat top opponents afterward, many felt he was no longer the same relentless fighter physically. By the time he fought Crawford, there were also reports of a difficult training camp and questions about whether he had peaked years earlier.

Spence Jr. admitted that the payout from that fight helped him take care of his family, while he took time to reflect on his past mistakes and to avoid repeating them.

“Once I get into camp, I am free-flowing. In that camp, everything was out of whack, and my body wasn’t there,” he said. “For me, I knew that this maximum payout [during his Crawford fight] was going to take care of my family, even if I am not here.”

“For A Bigger Picture”

Spence Jr. mentioned that he didn’t know if he’d ever step into the ring again after his last fiasco, and added that he is considering the opportunity as his redemption arc.

“I didn’t know if I was going to box ever again. I felt like that before the [Crawford] fight. That’s why I took so long off. I’m still going to fight. It is what it is. I’m not going to make any excuses. I’m just going to do what I do,” he said. “Whatever criticism comes with it, comes with it. At the end of the day, I am doing it for a bigger picture.”

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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