Spence, a former three-belt welterweight titleholder, hasn’t fought since suffering a one-sided stoppage loss against Terence Crawford for the 147-pound undisputed crown in July 2023.

Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) vs. Tszyu (27-3, 18 KOs) is supposed to take place at a catchweight of 158 pounds to headline a PBC on Prime Video PPV event. To prepare for the occasion, the former Olympian is now training with Ronnie Shields for the first time in Houston.

Former WBO welterweight titleholder Brian Norman (29-1, 23 KOs) also linked up with Shields recently, and the highly regarded coach guided the 25-year-old Georgia native to a second-round knockout win against Josh Wagner last month.

Norman believes Shields can give the 36-year-old Spence a much-needed boost to revive his career after a loss, just like he did for Norman after he lost to Devin Haney in November.

All accounts indicate the former unified beltholder is having a solid time in the gym during his comeback.

“Ronnie Shields is the magic man and has a great mindset,” Norman told The Ring.

“He lets you go to work. He cleaned up some [of my] small things that needed to get tightened up a little bit. It was a great experience, and I can understand why he's a great coach.

“I haven't been able to spar against [Spence]. I wish I could. Errol was one of my favorite fighters while I was growing up. The boy is looking good, sharp... I know he's definitely ready for Tim Tszyu.

“I think we are going to see something better than [vintage Spence]. You're going to see the new and improved. He doesn't have to go out there and be the same exact fighter. You get older, you get wiser. You don't have to be the same person you were 10 years ago. We're about to see that with Errol Spence.”

Shields has trained the likes of Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Vernon Forrest, Arturo Gatti, and many others. Nowadays, Shields guides former world champions Spence, Norman, Jermall Charlo, and upstarts Joshua Edwards, Vito Mielnicki Jr. and Andreas Katzourakis.

Shields certainly can’t alleviate any eroded skills and ring rust for Spence against the former 154-pound titleholder Tszyu, who’s 5-3 since around the time Spence last fought.

But Norman said training alongside top peers can be a separating factor for Spence, much like it was for himself.

“It helps you out with quantum leaps in your game, physically and mentally,” Norman said. “Iron sharpens iron, and you are forever learning. That's why the game is forever evolving.”