Errol Spence a virtual no-show in build-up for Tszyu

By Norm Frauenheim

Errol Spence Jr., unseen in the ring since his devastating loss to Terence Crawford nearly three years ago, goes Down Under in late July against Tim Tszyu with fans and foe wondering who will show up.

Thursday, he didn’t show up at all.

Spence was a no-show for a video appearance via-satellite at a Sydney television studio, where he and Tszyu were scheduled to talk about their 158-pound catchweight date on the last Saturday in July.

Tszyu, an Aussie living in Sydney, waited.

And waited.

No Spence.

No explanation either.

But there was plenty to say, mostly by a frustrated Tszyu.

“He’s a diva,’’ Tszyu said after an awkward 45 minutes that turned a studio into a waiting room.

Thursday morning in Sydney, he might as well have been an extraterrestrial. Repeatedly, there were attempts to reach Spence, who was in – of all places – Houston, a city known for communicating with satellites.

But there was no answer from Spence, who might as well have been in another universe or maybe just in bed. He’s been training in Houston with Jermall Charlo, who fights on the Sydney undercard against Aussie Koen Mazoudier.

Turns out, the often-volatile Charlo wasn’t lost in space. He caught his satellite and made his virtual appearance, right on time.

Charlo was there and Spence wasn’t. That only seemed to sharpen Tszyu’s anger.

I’m quite upset,” said Tszyu, a slight betting underdog in his own country

“Just a diva attitude.”

“I had to change plans. But it is what it is.

“Right now, I’m thinking about every limb of his body that I want to hurt. I want to inflict pain. And in three weeks I get to put my hands on him …”

Spence had already angered Tszyu. Before the fight was formally announced at a Las Vegas news conference on a May day when David Benavidez’ stopped Zurdo Ramirez for a unified cruiserweight title, Spence refused to shake hands with Tszyu during an encounter at the MGM Grand.

“The guy is living in his own little fairytale, thinking he runs the show.’’ Tszyu said. “He thinks everyone is on his time. But, unfortunately, we’re not. Just as I won’t be when we finally step into that ring.”

Uncertainty about Spence has been there, even before his loss to Crawford. Questions still linger about whether he has ever completely recovered from injuries suffered in a scary car crash October 2019.

Even Spence acknowledges the questions. He’s also mentioned retirement more than once. However, he expressed only confidence during a media workout Wednesday in Houston.

“Camp has been great.,” he said. “I can’t complain at all. We’re putting in the work and leaving no stone unturned. I’m excited.

“…This was the right time to come back, and against the right opponent. My body feels good, so I said why not?

“…We’re focused on the task at hand and that’s conquering Australia.’’

The continent, not the studio.