Errol Spence: Every Fight You Want To Send A Message
Sep 11, 2015 • 5:22 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
The members of the 2012 U.S Olympic male boxing team are enjoying much more success in the pro ranks than was the case during their road to infamy three years ago in London. While the team boasts several top future stars, the race is on to see who becomes the first to capture a world title.
From the moment he announced his intention to turn pro, the smart money has been on Errol Spence.
Handicappers benefit a bit from Rau’Shee Warren—a three-time Olympian and Spence’s teammate in 2012—having landed on the wrong end of a debatable decision in favor of Juan Carlos Payano in their bantamweight title fight earlier this summer. Still, the point is made that Spence appears to be a cut above his peers and high among the best of the sport’s next generation.
The unbeaten welterweight remains humbled by such praise, but believes there is still plenty of work to be done before he thinks about taking credit.
“It means a lot. The guys I went to the Olympics are all tremendous fighters,” notes Spence (17-0, 14KOs), who is coming off of an NBC-televised 3rd round knockout of Phil Lo Greco in June. “I don’t know if I’ll be the first one to a world title, they’re all on the path. They think I’ll be the next superstar. I just have to stay focused, dedicated and hungry.”
With that mindset, he comes in ready to put on a show versus tough southpaw Chris van Heerden when they meet Friday evening in Toronto, Canada.
The bout serves as the chief support to Adonis Stevenson’s light heavyweight championship defense versus Tommy Karpency. Both air live in the latest installment of
Premier Boxing Champions
’ PBC on Spike TV series (Friday, 9:00 p.m. ET).
“I’m sure the title fights will come one day, but I can’t look past a fighter like van Heerden,” states Spence. “I’ve seen a few of his fights and have an idea of what he will bring (tonight), but I have to be ready for anything. Thinking about a future title fight means nothing if I can’t take care of business that’s right in front of me.”
It’s impossible for fans and industry insiders to not put Spence alongside the biggest names in the always loaded welterweight division. Even its king, Floyd Mayweather has been stating as early as Spence’s last win that he was ready for rising stars such as Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter, despite just three years of pro experience under his belt.
Then again, Mayweather won his first title against the best in his weight class at the time (the late Genaro Hernandez) just shy of two full years as a pro. When a fighter on that level begins to speak your name in such regard, there could come the pressure to raise your game.
Not so for Spence, who treats every fight as his contending for the championship.
“Every fight you want to send a message,” Spence boldly states. “You look bad in one fight, they look at you a different way. I want to stay active on big networks and move towards that stage. Sending a message against a fighter like Chris van Heerden will put me there. As long as I look great, I don’t see why I can’t fight the very best welterweights as early as next year.”
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com
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@JakeNDaBox
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JakeBScene
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
