Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) has been on the sidelines since Crawford destroyed him in nine rounds in their July 2023 undisputed welterweight fight but will make his return on July 25 in Australia, taking on Tim Tszyu (27-3, 18 KOs).

No one knows what Spence, 36, will deliver under new trainer Ronnie Shields – including Crawford – but the now-retired pound-for-pound king is pleased to see his former rival back in action.

Crawford, who visited Australia before Tszyu's 10-round win over Denis Nurja last month, plans to attend the fight Down Under and will be among the American contingent traveling to watch an intriguing fight for both.

Set to be contested at a 158-pound catchweight, the fight's outcome could determine Spence's future as former WBO junior middleweight beltholder Tszyu looks to announce himself back on the big stage with a marquee win.

If things go well, it will be a step toward more meaningful fights after failed talks between Spence and WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora last year. If not, the longtime welterweight champion may ask whether it's worth continuining in a sport he's known all his life, though that has changed plenty since his last appearance.

The former IBF, WBA and WBC 147-pound champion stated during a recent media scrum that he already has his "right foot hanging out the door" when asked about retirement and naturally wants to take his career one fight at a time, assessing how he feels rather than make a snap judgment after another lengthy layoff.