Suddenly, after back-to-back losses, 30-year-old Tim Tszyu finds himself at a premature crossroads. American Joey Spencer awaits on April 6 at the Newcastle Entertainment Center and, after unexpected defeats to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev, Tszyu’s career and reputation hangs in the balance.

"This is the most important fight of my life,” Tszyu said at Wednesday’s open workout at Bondi Boxing Club. “There’s so much on the line, so much to look forward to. Every fight is important, but this one feels different. My focus is really locked in.”

It will need to be. Though the loss to Fundora, a split decision 12 months ago, could at least partly be explained by the deep gash he endured early in the bout, the three-round drubbing he then endured in October at the hands of Murtazaliev is markedly harder to write off as bad luck.

“Looking back at my last fight, it was just a little mistake,” Tszyu, 24-2 (17 KOs), continued. “If it had gone six, seven, eight rounds—who knows what would have happened? For me, it's about not making that mistake again. Boxing is a game of inches, and it's about minimizing those mistakes and gaining the edge.

“Training back in Sydney has been great. Being home, back at the Rockdale gym, surrounded by familiar faces, has been good. We've put in solid work. There's a lot of talent in Australia, and I've had some great sparring sessions with up-and-coming fighters from all over the country. I'm lucky and blessed to be in big-time boxing, competing at the highest level, and doing it here in Australia. It feels like going back to basics, reconnecting with the Aussie fans, and getting back to where it all started.”

Spencer, a fringe contender from Fenton, Michigan, is 19-1 (11 KOs) and no stranger to Tszyu.

“I've watched a bit of tape on Joey,” said the Australian. “I remember first seeing him back when I was in Minnesota, so I’ve had my eye on him for a while. I don’t watch a crazy amount of tape—just enough to understand the basics of what my opponent does well.

“For me, it's about keeping it smart. Last time [against Murtazaliev], I went in with the mindset that I could take him out in two rounds. That was going through my head. But a professional fight isn’t two rounds—it’s 12. I’ve got to be smarter.

“Every fight is the most important one because there’s always so much to prove. I know what I bring, I know what I possess, and it’s about showing it. It’s about letting the world know we never left.”

Keith Thurman, who was contracted to take on Tszyu last year before Fundora took his place, is expected to be next should Tim get past Spencer after the veteran posted a three-round victory against the overmatched Brock Jarvis in Sydney last week.

“The world is coming to me now,” Tszyu concluded. “I’ve got an exciting up-and-comer like Joey, and then there’s Keith, who’s hoping for a fight with me on the horizon. It’s a responsibility, and I take it with both hands. I’m representing Australia the right way, bringing big-time boxing back here, and doing big things. I’m proud to represent that.”