Errol Spence Unlikely to Claim A World Title In Another Division
Over the last several years, one-time unified welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (28-1, 22 KOs) was considered one of the elite fighters and highest-regard world champions. However, the signs are evident that his days as a world champion and elite fighter are likely over.
The expectation is that Spence will return to the ring by the end of this year or early in 2025. The Truth posted the following message on social media indicating his future will be either junior middleweight or middleweight.
Wherever he lands, tough times appear ahead. During his days as a welterweight, the Texas native was a force. With his high work-rate and punishing style, Spence overwhelmed the competition. But despite his excellence, he was riddled with injury and lengthy periods of inactivity.
Then came the evening of July 29, 2023, when he faced Terence “Bud” Crawford for the undisputed welterweight title. Spence was dominated and punished on the way to a ninth-round stoppage loss.
The Truth has not fought since. During his last few title defenses at welterweight, it was a known secret in the boxing community that he was having issues making 147. One would think that the jump up in weight would help him.
MAJOR CONCERNS
Here’s the problem. Crawford now resides at 154 and is the WBA junior middleweight champion. It’s hard to envision Spence winning a rematch against Bud. Spence would also have plenty of difficulty in fights against unified champion Sebastian Fundora and IBF belt-holder Bakhram Murtazaliev. Middleweight is currently one of the weakest in the sport. Despite that reality, would Spence have the physical strength and power to compete with the elite fighters at 160?
There also is the factor of age. The 34-year-old is no spring chicken. Boxing insiders also have concerns about the state of Spence’s eyes. In August 2021, surgery to fix a detached retina in his left eye forced him to withdraw from a fight with Manny Pacquiao. Following his loss to Crawford, Spence underwent a surgical procedure to remove a cataract from his right eye.
The reality is that the age and injuries have taken a physical toll on Spence. Additionally, his beating against Crawford had to take something away from his psyche. It all spells a fighter in decline and no longer capable of reaching the heights of years’ past.
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