Errol Spence Jr.’s comment on beating Floyd Mayweather wasn’t wrong to say
The welterweight division historically has always been one of the top moneymakers in boxing. You can go back to the days of arguably the number one fighter of all-time “Sugar” Ray Robinson (173-19-6, 109ko) or the golden era days of the 80’s when another Sugar was the divisional kingpin, “Sugar” Ray Leonard (36-3, 25ko).
THE PAST
Furthermore, there were plenty of names over the years that added to the depth of the division. Top names include Felix “Tito” Trinidad (42-3, 35ko), “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas (26-5, 22ko), Ike “Bazooka” Quartey (37-4-1, 31ko), “Sugar” Shane Mosley (49-10-1, 41), Miguel “Junito” Cotto (41-6, 33ko) “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30ko) and current WBA champion Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39ko).
Floyd “Money” Mayweather (50-0, 27ko), however, remains the one name that, when mentioned, brings about serious arguments. Money Mayweather holds wins over Mosley, De La Hoya, Cotto, and Pacquiao. Furthermore, never suffering a loss in the ring makes it hard to say who or what style can beat him.
THE PRESENT
Looking at the welterweight division now, it is still one of the most profitable divisions in boxing. Moreover, it is loaded with talent and mouth-watering fights. Names like former champions “Showtime” Shawn Porter (30-3-1, 17ko), Danny “Swift” Garcia (36-2, 21ko), Keith “One-Time” Thurman (29-1-1, 22ko) WBO champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (36-0, 27ko) and of course the Pac Man, are still active in the division.
And before you say it, no I didn’t miss a name.
Unified champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (26-0, 21ko) sits atop the thrown as the division’s kingpin and has a huge target on his back.
THE CONTROVERSY
There is an old phrase “you don’t play boxing”. This is a gladiator sport and in order to make it, every fighter must have two things: belief and confidence. That’s the thing that separates them from everyone else, it is what can elevate a fighter from being a contender to world champion and without it, you can forget about achieving any kind of goal.
The Texas champion was on the Showtime Basketball show called ALL THE SMOKE and of course, he was asked the ultimate question: “Who would win between himself and Money Mayweather?”
“100% focus in my prime, I think I would beat Floyd.”
THE REALITY
That statement caused an uproar all over social media. However, what exactly was the Texas champion supposed to say honestly?
It’s understandable to criticize or disagree, there is nothing wrong with that. Furthermore, the competitive nature of any fighters won’t allow them to admit anyone can beat them, especially if you’re a champion. Money Mayweather himself has made the same claims when asked about old school fighters of the previous era.
If you ask any of today’s current crop of top welterweights, they probably would give the same answer, and again that is what they are supposed to say. Remember, these are fighters. They have a totally different mentality and are bred to believe on a level that is unfathomable.
By: Garrisson Bland
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