There’s a lot to love when it comes to the overall game of Errol Spence Jr. His jab was ostensibly his best weapon. Strong, thudding, and most importantly - consistent. His defense wasn’t praised as the sharpest but more than good enough to avoid huge shots from landing cleanly. While he may have a terrific set of skills, Spence’s best attribute seemed to be his chin.

Type in the name Danny Garcia and Kell Brook on YouTube and you’ll be flooded with countless videos of their knockout reels. Neither, however, was able to put a dent in his chin.

Everything seemingly changed in October of 2019. Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) was on top of the world. He was fresh off a Shawn Porter victory, making him the division’s only unified champ. A celebration was in order. A good time out and about, nevertheless, turned into a life-changing experience for the former titlist.

While on his way back home, an inebriated Spence lost control of his sports vehicle and was involved in a horrific wreck. Miraculously, Spence made it out alive and resumed his career. Although victories over Garcia and Yordenis Ugas seemed to prove that nothing was wrong, Jorge Linares saw things a bit differently.

Against Ugas, Linares, who was openly rooting for the Cuban, noticed a few disturbing trends. The former WBA champ rocked his man on several occasions. And while he would ultimately go on to lose, Linares didn’t like Spence’s reaction to those big shots.

Fast forward just a year later and Linares believes he was proven right. Against Terence Crawford just a few weeks ago, Spence was badly beaten. At times, the new undisputed welterweight champion was able to floor Spence using just his jab.

The end result has left most praising Crawford. Linares, on the other hand, doesn’t view the lanky champion as some monster puncher. Instead, he believes that Spence’s durability is a far cry from what it once was.

“The chin of Spence is no good because of the accident,” Linares told MillCity Boxing during a recent interview. “People say ‘Wow, Crawford has amazing jab’ but it’s not because the jab. It’s because Spence don’t have the same strong chin like he had before.”

Linares’ take isn’t simply conjecture. He has firsthand experience. From the outside looking in, sure Ugas appears as though he lives in the weight room. Although muscles protrude from every part of his body, Linares reveals that there’s no substance behind his husky physique.

“You know how many rounds I made with Ugas in sparring? He don’t have power, he don’t have that punch. He’s a big guy but he doesn’t hit hard.”