Errol Spence has addressed health concerns ahead of his clash with Tim Tszyu, which takes place just under three years removed from his punishing defeat to Terence Crawford.
The 36-year-old has not fought since losing his WBC, IBF and WBA world titles to Crawford, who produced a masterful performance to claim the undisputed welterweight crown.
Prior to their encounter, Spence was considered by some to be a slight favourite, only for him to suffer a surprisingly one-sided ninth-round stoppage defeat.
This took place some years after his life-threatening car accident, from which the American had escaped with significant dental and facial damage.
He did, of course, return with a unanimous decision victory over Danny Garcia around 14 months later, before securing a 10th-round finish over Yordenis Ugas in 2022.
Yet still, many have argued that Spence was never the same fighter after experiencing such trauma, with the Crawford defeat only accelerating his athletic deterioration.
In response to suggestions of his supposedly slurred speech, though, ‘The Truth’ has told Sean Zittel that his dentures can provide some form of explanation.
“I’d say I’m all right. How’s my speech now? My speech [has] always been kind of slurred with these teeth right here, because they’re not spaced out, so air can’t even come through.
“That’s just from the car accident. I appreciate everybody [expressing their] concerns. I have my concerns, too. They’re right to have those concerns.”
Regardless of such concerns, Spence will return againse former world champion Tszyu on July 25 at a catchweight of 158lbs.
Despite much anticipation surrounding his comeback, the American will travel to Australia rather than headline a show in Texas, where he has been known to draw a sizeable crowd.
