ONTARIO, California – Derrick James hasn’t seen anything happen in his gym since Errol Spence Jr. returned to it earlier this month that makes James think Spence isn’t the same elite fighter he was before his car accident.
James, who also trains Jermell Charlo, spoke about Spence’s comeback following Charlo’s 11th-round technical knockout of Tony Harrison in their WBC super welterweight championship rematch Saturday night at Toyota Arena.
“He’s OK,” James said. “We’re looking at him, seeing how he react to what we’re working on in the gym. He’s good. His timing is good. Everything’s great. … He’s just like he was. Because now I’m watching him from a different perspective. And I’m looking to see if he’s slower. I don’t see it.”
James told those that asked about Spence since his accident that he would recover completely from the facial lacerations and dental damage he suffered during a one-car crash October 10 in downtown Dallas. Some fans and media were unconvinced regarding Spence’s condition because the unbeaten IBF/WBC welterweight champion hadn’t spoken publicly since the accident until he was interviewed at ringside by FOX’s Brian Kenny just before the Charlo-Harrison rematch started Saturday night.
“I think it was good for them to see him,” James said. “I think that people care about him. And then a lot of people are, as we say in the red, the haters. I think a lot of people didn’t want him to be OK. But, I mean, I told ‘em he was OK. They didn’t believe me. And so, they actually had to see him and whatever he said – I didn’t see the interview. I think it’s beautiful for him, for boxing. He’s back. And I’m happy.”
The 29-year-old Spence (26-0, 21 KOs) told Kenny he “feels good” and “rejuvenated” now that he has taken some time off. The DeSoto, Texas, native also said he has been cleared medically to resume full contact, but James noted that he’s not sure when Spence will spar for the first time since the accident.
Spence expects to return to the ring sometime late in the spring or the summer. The 2012 Olympian wants to fight Danny Garcia or Manny Pacquiao next, not a lesser opponent in a tune-up fight.
Spence had hoped to face Garcia in January, but Spence’s setback caused Garcia to accept a fight against Ivan Redkach on January 25 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
“I work for him,” James said when asked about the type of opponent Spence should fight next. “You know what I mean? So, I want whatever he wants – whoever. I don’t call out people. I don’t choose people. My job is to make sure to get him ready and get him prepared. But when I start [talking about opponents], I can’t be a good trainer.”
Spence has noticeable scar tissue over his right eye and elsewhere on his face from cuts suffered in the accident, after which he was charged with driving while impaired (DWI). That scar tissue could render the strong southpaw more susceptible to cuts in fights.
“We’ll see about that,” James said. “I mean, it’s boxing, man. You know, but I don’t think about it. I just care about the cognitive aspect of it, not about his face. I think about the cognitive, the brain. That’s all I care about.”
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.