Fighter of the Week: Errol Spence

On what was perhaps the most loaded week of boxing since the sweet science returned from its COVID hiatus. A weekend that featured high-level cards on each day of the week from Wednesday through Saturday, multiple world title fights, and a Golden Contract. The winner of this week’s Fighter of the Week award was going to have to hand in an exceptional, next-level performance. That’s, exactly what this weeks winner Errol “The Truth” Spence of Dallas, Texas did in taking apart two division former world champ Danny “Swift” Garcia over 12 dominant rounds. Spence picked up the clear unanimous decision, cleared out another elite level welterweight, successfully defended his WBC and IBF world titles, moved his record to a flawless 27-0 (21), and made his argument for being the best welterweight in the world. 

It was 14 months and one horrific car wreck since Errol Spence last stepped foot in the ring. So it was with the utmost important that he start quickly and look sharp in the early going. Spence did just that! Dominating the former champ with a shotgun like jab The jab would become the story of the night. Garcia had no responses for it at any point. Spence kept the jab pumping to the head and body keeping Garcia from walking forward and stifling his punch output throughout the early rounds. As the fight progressed into the middle rounds with Spence unmfortably in control, he began to close the gap and rip Garcia to the body with violent right hooks and short lefts. Thudding body shots that slowed Garcia down every time he tried to pick up the aggression. To start the ninth Swift came out with a sense of urgency knowing he was badly behind on the score cards. Leading with sharp right hands and having more success on the inside, Garcia put together a mini rally in the ninth and 10th rounds. However any success the challenger was having was about to be snuffed out as the Texan regained control of the fight in the 11th. He began applying more pressure and attempted to close the show. Hurting Garcia with short left hands on the inside throughout the 11th, Spence was in complete control. In the final stanza Spence tried closing the show walking his man down with a stiff jab and following up with right hooks and straight lefts that stopped Garcia dead in his tracks. However Swift was able to survive and hear the final bell. The decision was academic with all three judges scoring a clear decision for the champ by scores of 116-112 twice and 117-111.

Errol Spence is now a legitimate Pay Per View star, meaning he has made himself accustom to the large paychecks that go alongside fighting on Pay Per View. He obviously wants to continue receiving those type massive paydays. This leaves the Texan with only three logical options that could sell on Pay Per View. A unification bout with wither of the other two world champion at 147 pounds Terence Crawford and Manny Pacquiao. Or the third option would be a rematch with Shawn Porter who is ranked number one by both the WBC and the IBF. However, Porter is also ranked number one by the WBO, whose titleholder is Terence Crawford. Porter has expressed interest in exercising that option. Meaning both Porter and Crawford won’t be available. However, Pacquiao would be and the eight-division world champion expressed interest in a unification fight. Meaning Spence could get the two biggest purses of his career in 2021. Two legacy-making fights, first against Manny Pacquiao and then later in the year against Terence Crawford should both fighters be successful.