Undefeated Australian Tim Tszyu 21-0 (15) has labelled Errol Spence Jr “a punk” after learning that the American declared he will be betting on Tony Harrison 29-3-1 (21) to spring the upset when they meet for the vacant WBO interim junior middleweight title at Qudos Arena in Sydney, Australia on Sunday afternoon local time.
Back in late January, the WBC, WBA and IBF welterweight champion posted to social media: “I’ll bet 10 on a Tony Harrison upset.”
Former WBC 154-pound champion Harrison is a 2/1 underdog to defeat Tszyu.
“The guy’s a punk – that’s why,” Tszyu said to Fox Sports Australia when asked why Spence would bet against him.
“And remember, this is the same person who also said Terrell Gausha was going to beat me in my last fight too. So what happened there Errol?
“I’ve never said anything bad about the bloke whatsoever. But for some reason, he just doesn’t like me.
“He’s Team America, I guess — that’s how they are. But these punks, they will all be put on notice. I’ve got a long future ahead of me and I’ll pin-point all of them one by one.”
Southpaw Spence 28-0 (22) was in protracted negotiations to face WBO counterpart and fellow lefty Terence Crawford 39-0 (30) last year but those talks fell apart.
He will now face Keith Thurman 30-1 (22) in a junior middleweight bout on April 22 while Crawford will take on Alexis Rocha 21-1 (14) in a mandatory defence of his WBO 147-pound strap on a date to be determined.
If Texan southpaw Spence, 33, opts to stay in the 154-pound weight class rather than dropping back down to welterweight for a potential undisputed title fight with Crawford, then Tszyu would be there to welcome him with open arms.
“That would make one hell of a fight,” the 28-year-old Sydneysider said. “He’s definitely a good boxer. Which I respect. But I’d also welcome that fight with both hands.”
Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings also fired a salvo at Spence and his social media activity.
“Errol is one of these guys that spends an enormous amount of time having fights on social media, rather than in the ring,” Jennings said.
“Although now there’s talk he will come up to Tim’s weight class, and we certainly hope he does. I know that’s a fight Tim would like.
“And depending on the circumstances, Harrison, [undisputed champion Jermell] Charlo, Spence would be a nice running order.
“We’d love to get Spence as soon as he comes up.
“And if Tim is the undisputed champion at that time, I’m sure Errol would love to have a crack at him, too.
“I actually think these bets, these little niggles, they give you an insight into what they might be thinking.
“Or maybe the guy just likes a bet? Who knows?”
