Spence jr Unifies Division, Epic fight But Who’s Next? Why Not A Rematch?
By Scottie “The Context” White
What an amazing welterweight showcase beneath the canopy of bright lights, rebelling onlookers, and the cameras red light district zoomed to “lens-the-moment” in its entirety. What a night for celebrity commencement illuminating the building with star power, a pulsating swirl of energy as side bar chatter tinkles in last minute predictions. With thousands in attendance, the restless audience arose as both fighters made their ring-walk to the boxing proven grounds. A canvased quadrant for a pair of world titlist who were finally set to battle in a 12-round championship.
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On the line was “Showtime” Shawn Porter (30-3-1 17KOs) WBC world belt in his second defense since earning a unanimous decision over fellow compeer Danny Garcia for the vacant WBC title. His opponent for the night and arguably his toughest test to date was none other than Errol “The Truth” Spence jr, ledgering (26-0 21KOs).
My word! every line to this contest razzled the betting odds just enough to befriend uncertainty in the hearts of well-balanced gamblers.
As the pair of champions paced slowly in their ring-walk, stoic in their thousand-yard optic, it was their final intervention as they split the ropes for mortal combat. A boxing manifest where all the hard work of dreaded fight camp regimes will showcase who strategized the best and ultimately will succeed in their punishing favor in the eyes of the judges or cracking the conscious bulb of their opponent stretched out on the parking deck below.
With the building postured in attention, referee Jack Reiss sealed his final instruction, the time was now. The Bell rings the first round to an official start as Spence and Porter close down in the center. Porter initiates behind the jab, doubling up as Spence sends an immediate counter. The entire vibe from both fighters amplifies early tempo for the pending battle brewing. Porter is treading forward giving Spence all the pressure he never desired, while letting his hands rebel the cause sending a message early. Spence gets off his jab as he feints a reaction from Porter. Spence is seriously active holding his square as he lands flush on Porter. One-two punch combination lands for Spence as Porter parks him next to the ropes.
Second frame hurries the fighters to the center with a carriage of feints, no feeling out process as both fighters get to work. Porter stops Spence pursuit with a pair of punches that scores his delight. Spence returns to sender working behind his jab as Porter closes in. Fighters engage as Porter lands a blistering left-hand catching Spence flush as he stumbles backwards – awes from the crowd. Best punch of the fight so far. High energy pace as Porter volumes a group of strait punches on the go but Spence holds ground against the ropes doubling to the body of Porter. The Third round was no different as the action gassed up seeing Spence touching the body with piercing hooks. Porter rushes forward unphased as both fighter’s arsenal a violent exchange on the inside not giving an inch to the other. What a fight as cheers echo outside the ropes. Porter is regurgitating the words as an in-shape street fighter as he barrels forward but Spence settles in nicely as the matador landing solid returns.
Spence is in a fight, as combinations lands flush for Porter. His fuel tank is diesel right now standing in the pocket trading with Spence. Furious onslaught from Porter as he pressures Spence every move. Spence land a solid hook as he catches Porter pulling up letting his hands go but Porter carries forward on a mission. Porter is displaying his brawling-esque repertoire as he gives Spence the entire kitchen sink. Not to be out done, two thudding body-shots from Spence as he flurries his cache of work. Fighters separate briefly as Spence is on his toes cycling backwards at Porter is rough housing Spence in the pocket. Referee breaks the fighters as Spence shifts forward with superb body attacks stamped with a fedex hook up top to a charging Porter. Fighters clinch, then separated as Porter rushes Spence with three solid shots to the mid-drift paying dividends.
Compubox numbers heading to the ninth round has Spence leading in punches landed but Porter on the bezel as he clocks a right hand off Spence who eats it well. Spence in pursuit with a sling-shot right hand as Porter stumbles backwards. Wow, imagine how the fans are feeling, the energy to this battle has been forthright from the opening frame. What a firefight of inside dirty boxing, close quarter belligerency and tenacious dogmatic bombardment from a pair of war bread soldiers. If we dare ask the question knocking on the door to the tenth-round, are you not entertained?
Porters leads with a jab to usher in the tenth frame, he is a tyrant on the inside as he knuckles up solid body work on the belt line of Spence. Fighters circling the other, searching to download another application of punishment. Spence installs a lethal one-two capped with a straight left. Porter parks against the ropes briefly as he turns Spence with a complimentary shove – wrapped with a bouquet of powers shots. Spence – Porter are throwing caution to the breeze with fact checking aggression. Spence pushes Porter to ropes forcing a referee break. No slowing as Porter seem to be spooling more punches for disbursement, unleashing a barrage of strikes showing zero signs of fatigue, as many would agree his fuel-low light was nonexistent the entire night – this would also register for Spence resilience to.
Porters leads with a jab to usher in the tenth frame, he is a tyrant on the inside as he knuckles up solid body work on the belt line of Spence. Fighters circling the other, searching to download another application of punishment. Spence installs a lethal one-two capped with a straight left. Porter parks against the ropes briefly as he turns Spence with a complimentary shove – wrapped with a bouquet of powers shots. Spence – Porter are throwing caution to the breeze with fact checking aggression. Spence pushes Porter to ropes forcing a referee break. No slowing as Porter seem to be spooling more punches for disbursement, unleashing a barrage of strikes showing zero signs of fatigue, as many would agree his fuel-low light was nonexistent the entire night – this would also register for Spence resilience to.
Championship rounds have arrived, I’m sure the rioting audience wishful thinking is a glorious dream for a fifteen rounder this night – just for this fight. Porter starts the eleventh dancing with the stars as he presses Spence on the backfoot up to the ropes. Head-to-chest is Porter, still a dog in the pit but Spence proves he built to walk through fire as he turns Porter into the ropes triggering a bite of his own. Porter on his bicycle with Spence in tow, bad move. Porter hit the brakes to throw a punch as Spence gets off a right-hand and swings a hammering left-hook which makes landfall sending Porter to the canvas, first knockdown of the fight at 1:00 remaining in the round. Porter stands quickly as the referee attends, Porter waves Spence on as to say my clip isn’t empty and return right back to Spence doorstep as an active shooter firing off power shots with bad intentions.
The building is chaotic after witnessing only the second time Porter has touched the canvas in his professional career. Porter exits the corner first, awaiting the 12th and final round to commence. Spence close in scoring a two-punch combination, he’s cashing in early this round. Porter keeps it close with his hands moving for action, firing on all cylinders landing a stiff right-hand on Spence. No problem as Spence marches forward pinning Porter to the ropes, he sends a straight-left as Porter slips it well turning Spence on the pivot landing a charming counter shot. A brief clinch as the fighter break. Spence powers up and serves Porter an entrée of Texas beef with ill-will, he looks to be energized as he scores solid work on Porter to end such an entertaining welterweight showcase.
Spence jr would earn his second title of his championship reign, he would become the newly crown WBC/IBF unified champion. The scorecards read as follow – Rey Danesco (116-111), New Jersey’s Steve Weisfeld (116-111), and Larry Hazzard Jr. (115-112)
CompuBox tallied 49 more overall punches for Spence (221-of-745 to 172-of-744). Showing – Spence also landed more power punches (184-of-416 to 142-of-553) and jabs (37-of-329 to 30-of-191).
In closing, boxing has been salivating for the best to contend in their hierarchy, in other words this night was a treat because everything we believe on paper, indeed presented a hallmark performance that made the fan majority welterweight feel pleasant about the night. We agree there may have been the Porter fans who were internally displeased grading the closeness of the fight. Mainstream fans really couldn’t complain or leave stumping the yard as if the dance didn’t live up to the promotional hype. What a night of boxing ambiance for this gentlemen sport, it reminded us the reality potential for the best fights isn’t a mythical declaration, even though we’re in an era where opponents select the monetary avenue with less traffic sometimes to reach that championship pinnacle.
And lastly if the haven’t already ended in the early AM, fostering in Sunday morning Thanking our holy savior for a tremendous night of boxing but……hold the shivoo in clapping your tambourines. I want to offer up this question. Are we in agreeance that post fight, the next fight for Spence jr would be none other than Danny Garcia. I thought it wasn’t just me, so with my right hand close to bible, I sent an early prayer that maybe I was drowsy a bit and accidentally slipped into a stupor. So why in the hell would the boxing masses want to see the fighter who lose to Porter , who just lose to Spence and now you believe that somehow its time for you to seize the moment of opportunity for a check? If any validity to this fight, its absurd. Politics in boxing is buoyed once more and all we can do is nod our head “No” and shake it “Yes” just like a bobble-head. Granted Garcia is a respectable former world champion but there will be minimal hugs embracing this match-up on the calendar after watching Spence jr go 12-rounds with Porter. I’m Out!!!
