Errol Spence Jr is not long for the welterweight division
Up next, IBF and WBC World Welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (27-0, 21 KO’s) will stage the biggest fight of his professional career. On August 8, Spence will face WBA champion in recess Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s) in a high stakes pay-per-view extravaganza. No one can, in good faith, count the living legend out. Still The Truth is widely regarded as the favorite to prevail in that prizefight.
If this is true, then Spence would only have two more belts to gobble up to become undisputed. The first would be the WBO strap held by Terence “Bud” Crawford. Following would be the WBA Super title held by Yordenis Ugas. Yet, there is a very prevalent belief that the WBA will reinstate Pacquiao to full WBA super champion status. If the WBA does in fact do this, and Spence defeats Pac Man, then only Crawford’s WBO strap would block him from being undisputed.
CAN’T DEFEAT THE SCALE
Spence and Crawford have gone back and forth in the media for years, but no fight has been made. At this point, only a scant amount of folks still hold out hope for this match materializing. Most have hardened themselves to the reality that it will ultimately land in the ‘what could have been’ pile. Even Spence himself has said that he is not willing to put any more major energy into making it happen.
Yet, there is more to The Truth wanting to move up than just chasing reluctant opposition. As he explained to Barbershop Conversations, it has become a real task making the 147 pound weight limit.
“I know in about two more fights I am going up! It’s very challenging [making weight]. I’m actually getting a dietician in probably a week or two to make sure I get down in the right way. To make sure that I am still strong, rehydrate after the weigh-in right and everything like that.”
When he does choose to make the jump, The Truth has no intention of taking it slow or testing the waters. Instead he plans on going straight for the neck of one of the current belt holders.
“Somebody going to give me a direct shot! Shit, they want them sanctioning fees! Somebody going to give me a shot, if they want that percentage!”
In the end though, first things must come first. Before we can get too lost in fantasy and speculation, Spence must first take care of his business with Pacquiao. Keith Thurman made the mistake of taking the Pac Man lightly and was promptly roughed up and strong-armed for his WBA title. So, if Spence does not want to look like Red in Friday crying in the car after having his belts snatched, he needs to stay focused!
By: Bakari Simpson
