Tim Tszyu would rather forget what took place in 2024. Joseph Spencer though, is analyzing every second of it.

Bad luck, freak accidents, or unfortunate circumstances. Whatever you want to call it, Tszyu went winless last year. Hindsight, however, is 20-20. So looking back on his losses to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev, they don’t seem too bad now. Fundora holds two of the junior middleweight titles and hovers above most heavyweights. Murtazaliev, while his height is much more normal, the way he goes about his violent business in the ring, isn’t.

Fundora and Murtazaliev, nevertheless, are viewed as higher-level fighters when juxtaposed with Spencer. Conjecture aside, Spencer (19-1, 11 KOs) has never held a world title, nor has he fought for one but he is on a three-fight win streak.

Spencer isn’t some murderous puncher. He usually jumps up and down on his toes, pops out a smooth jab, and cruises his way to a decision. That game plan might be his best way to grab the biggest win of his career. Yet, even if he finds himself boxing circles around the former unified champ, if he gets the chance to send his skull to the second row, he’ll do it.

“If I touch his chin right, do I believe that I can put him away? Absolutely,” said Spencer to Premier Boxing Champions. “I’m coming to take him out. Whether it’s a decision, a stoppage, or a knockout. I’m coming to win this fight.”

Clichés in boxing are played out. You’ve probably heard them all before. Styles make fights is one of its more popular phrases but the sport has plenty more. Spencer, as he continues to put the finishing touches on a difficult and mind-numbing training camp, issued probably the most cliché line of them all, but one that he believes is true.

“If the knockout comes, it comes.”