Every generation of boxing fans has been lucky enough to receive its great of that time. The list of greats in boxing is a long one that includes guys like:
- Sugar Ray Robinson
- Rocky Marciano
- Muhammad Ali
- Ray Leonard
- Mike Tyson
- Roy Jones
- Floyd Mayweather
And many more.
Who, decade after decade, have come, conquered and went. Sometimes there is a direct passing of the torch, and sometimes we wait in limbo to see who the next hall of famer is. Sometimes it’s obvious, seeing guys like Mike Tyson from their first fight on, you know he is the next up. But then there are guys that come out of nowhere.
After Floyd announced retirement the second time, we weren't sure who was going to take his place as the best pound for pound fighter on the planet. Many people had Lomachenko picked. However, after Floyd announced retired for a third time, the smoke settled. It is much more clear who is here to dominate the pound for pound for the next decade or more.
His name is Errol Spence Jr.
Errol has got all the makings of greatness and I’m pegging him to be the next in line.
Here is why.
No One Can Stop Him, At Least Not On the Horizon
Currently Errol looks like an unstoppable force in the welterweight division. He has fought similar opponents to Thurman's, and has stopped them in a much shorter time. Even guys that Thurman went the distance with were disposed of. I’m not only mentioning Thurman because this fight is being built up, but also because currently, Thurman is considered the top dog in the welterweight division. On top of that, Thurman is a tremendous fighter who has victories over guys like Porter and Danny Garcia. Errol, however, has looked like he is a notch above that every time out and hasn’t had a fight that looks competitive.
Not only that, he was able to stop Chris Algerie, a guy who went the distance with Pacquiao. When he steps into that ring he looks unstoppable. His recent performance against Peterson showcased a unique combination of speed, power and fight IQ. Peterson is a very hard guy to look good against and will test anyone in front of him. However, even he failed to get anything off against Errol. He is too good for the current welterweights. Smaller guys like Mikey Garcia and Terrence Crawford have called him out, but despite being great boxers, I think are way too small. The challenges for Errol lie in higher weight classes and even then, I see him cleaning guys out at 154. The super fight looming for him is Canelo, and that’s a fight I can see him winning.
Speed, Power, IQ and a Great Chin
These are some of the things that make a great fighter. Errol Spence Jr has the complete package. There isn’t one weakness or flaw that he has shown so far, despite having some great opposition. The only thing that can take down fighters like this is lack of discipline and in a recent interview he said he is “neck and neck” with Floyd Mayweather when it comes to work ethic. As long as he can maintain that he will continue to reign the welterweight division.
Unlike Floyd, he is a natural welterweight and not a small guy who came up and found his home in welterweight. Errol spells TROUBLE for anyone coming up in weight class because he is the old school version of the welterweight. He is a BIG guy who cuts down to 147. Most of the guys who have found their home in welterweight, aren't actually natural welterweights. This makes him very dangerous and very powerful at that weight class. He has demonstrated his punching power in his last 3 outings, stopping guys like Kell Brook, Algerie, and Peterson. As the fight wears on you can see the punches doing damage and his opponents can’t take anymore pain.
For a big guy he is also really fast, combined with great timing and accuracy. Peterson came in with a gameplan of keeping his guard high against him and Errol masterfully broke through his guard with different angles and baits to open him up. He also took some great shots while trying to open Peterson up, none of which phased him. At times, “The Truth” looks like the machine in there.
As far as IQ, watching his fights is like watching an Grandmaster playing chess with a checkers champion. You can see his opponents are just trying to get quick counters on him while he is methodically breaking them down to eventually get the checkmate. He takes his time, stays patient, manages his energy and slowly mauls his opponent until they can no longer fight back. Once they are worn, he unloads full power to end the fight. It takes a next level confidence to approach the fight this way and he does it EVERY time out.
Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime
One thing lacking in boxing these days is guys pick their fights based on how much money is to be made. It is always risk vs reward based decision making. Back in the day guys just wanted to fight the best guy out there, and believe it or not, it still made them money, because fans always came back for a great fight. These days there is a lack of pride in fighters. They're somehow not ashamed of avoiding the guy that is calling them out.
Errol is cut from the old cloth. He has been willing to fight anybody, anywhere, anytime. He went to fight Kell Brook for the belt in his home land. He fought Peterson, even though it’s a risky fight for any up and comer. Both of these fights happened because others were ducking him.
When he was asked in an interview what he is going to do about fighters avoiding him, his response was scary:
“I’m going to keep cleaning out the division until they have nowhere to hide.”
Those are the words of a man that is confident in his own abilities. He knows he can beat any man in front of him and is willing to fight the best to get to the best and show the world what he is capable of. We need that in boxing.
The Rumors: Errol Spence Makes Floyd Mayweather Quit, Knocks down Broner
Then there is these to further build the myths about this guy. You read that right, Errol Spence did make Floyd Mayweather quit in the ring in sparring and also has been said to knock Broner down in sparring.
When asked about both of these Errol Spence had a humble response to each.
Against Floyd here is what is said to have happened.
He sparred Floyd and gave him some work, once they got out the ring, Floyd told him “you’re alright for a b***h.” At that point Errol challenged him to get back in the ring, no rounds, until someone quits. Typical TMT doghouse style sparring.
When asked who quit first Errol humbly responded “I didn't quit.”
Here is the Floyd situation in Errol’s own words:
When asked about Broner, he said:
“It’s sparring, things happen, sometimes you get caught with a good punch.”
This guy has a lot of class and doesn't trash talk either fighter, but doesn't deny it either.
These are more than rumors, and it’s scary news for the welterweights out there.
Errol "The Truth" Spence: Cut From the Old Cloth
Another tell tale sign of Errol’s potential greatness is his character as a fighter. The way he approaches the sport is much like the fighters of the golden era. It’s almost like he took a time machine to the modern day and showed us what old school fighters would be like in this environment.
He fights anyone they want to put in front of him, he wants to fight up to 3 times in one year after becoming champion and cuts weight! A lot of fighters these days don't do either. It’s why we see smaller welterweights today than we did back in the day, these guys just don't have the stomach for cutting weight anymore. Because everyone else was doing it, it worked out. But now “The Truth” has entered their division and everyone is going to feel what it’s like to fight a real welterweight.
Unlike fighter's like Floyd, he also fights often and whoever. Normally once fighters reach champion status they fight twice a year max and carefully select their opponents. Spence doesn't care who or what date, which is another sign of greatness.
Too Early?
A lot of you will think I'm saying this prematurely. Is it too early to tell?, I don't think so. Every welterweight out there that can challenge him wont be capable of beating him. Guys like Mikey Garcia want to move up in weight to face him and to me that's a scary move for Mikey.
Here is a list of potential opponents he can face:
- Keith Thurman
- Danny Garcia
- Shawn Porter
- Mikey Garcia
- Lucas Matthysse
- Terence Crawford
The only name on that list that I think poses a threat is Crawford and he is much too small to do any real damage against Spence. Errol is a big welterweight, so he cleans this division out 100% and the only challenges for him lie in the weight classes above.
Being that he is cut from the old cloth, I see him cleaning out the welterweight division before he moves up, and becoming, perhaps, one of the greatest welterweights we ever see.
Time Will Tell
Maybe I’m jumping the gun on Errol and we should wait until he is tested. Although, I have a feeling that most of what he faces at welterweight wont seem like a test because it will look too easy. I’m pegging Errol to be one of the greats before his career is up, and I’m calling it now before everyone sees it.
Drop me your comments below and let me know your thoughts. Just remember to be nice.
Brawl all day!
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