Spence Steadfast on Securing the Stoppage!
As is to be expected, IBF world welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (25-0, 21 KO’s) is extremely confident going into his unification bout with WBC world welterweight champion Shawn “Showtime” Porter (30-2-1, 17 KO’s).
In his mind, this is one of the final steps toward becoming the undisputed champion of the welterweight division. Numerous people have already unofficially crowned him as such anyway. Yet, Spence knows he must do the work before he can truly take the credit.
GUNNING FOR THE KO
More than just beat him, Spence is adamant that he will knockout Porter. Needless to say, that is a rather tall order. Other than a flash knockdown at the hands of Adrien “The Problem” Broner, Showtime has never been on the canvas.
Beyond that, Porter has never appeared to be significantly hurt in the ring before. None of that means anything to the Truth, as he explained in a recent PBC on FOX segment.
“I really want to be the first person to stop Shawn Porter, you know? He wants to be the first person to stop me too so, you know, I think it’s in the back of both our minds. I’m not going to go out of my way or look sloppy or you know, try to do something extra just to get the knockout, you know?
“If it happens it happens, but hopefully I get it on Saturday night. […] I feel like with Shawn’s style it definitely enables me to, you know, catch him coming in and knock him out. ”
Spence is not just riding high on his own press clippings or downplaying Porter’s in-ring capabilities. The body-attacking technician has based his beliefs on what he thinks is accurate scientific data.
To begin, Spence foresees Porter’s rough and tumble style providing him the needed windows of opportunity to score his coveted knockout. This notion is certainly not far-fetched. Showtime is known for his rather brutish fighting style, which does see him darting in and out frequently.
“It’s all about making adjustments inside the ring, it’s all about adapting. It’s all about following the game plan of your coach and I feel like I will come out victorious. So I’m good at adapting.
“I feel like I’ve seen every style whether it was amateurs, sparring or, you know professional. I’ve seen his style before. He is a come forward fighter, you know? I feel like he can’t box. So, you know I feel like I will be victorious.”
SIMPLY NOT IMPRESSED
Underlining that mode of thought, the Truth is simply not impressed with Porter’s overall boxing ability. Sure, he knows that the Ohio native is tough, all heart and will press the action. Spence has never doubted these traits.
Yet still, he does not believe that Porter has the technical skills to keep up with him. This has remained a consistent talking about of his since the fight’s confirmation.
Regardless of what version of himself he presents, Spence is faithful and determined that he will win this bout by stoppage. If he does make good on his claim, even without fighting Terence Bud Crawford, it would be very, very hard not to anoint him the unofficial king of the division. No matter who you are pulling for, these are exciting times in the welterweight division!
“I might change my nickname to the Showstopper! I might change my nickname to the Showstopper after Saturday night! Errol “The Showstopper” Spence!”
By: Bakari Simpson
Be the first to comment