Why does Mikey want to fight Spence so badly?

[New England]

he probably thinks he can tag spence. and he's right. i'm just not sure it will matter.

[THEFRESHBRAWLER]

He can at least try to make the Loma fight happen before rushing up two weight classes, right? I just don't see the point at all. Sure you can want to challenge yourself it just seems sudden.

Stop it. The fight is at 147. He’s won two titles at 140 so how is he jumping up two weight classes?

[CrowsNestWest]

I think he shoulda Unified Lightweight over Loma and faced Spence later but at the same time, if he wins, he may be arguably the best fighter of his era

[R-Hand Southpaw]

It's simple. Mikey going to 147 to fight Spence makes him a martyr. He can lose to Spence and his career will not lose any momentum. He can go back to 135 or 140 and claim to be a warrior because he stepped up to the boogey-man at 147. Everyone expects him to lose. He can pick up where he left off at the top of a lower weight class.

Now, if he loses to Loma, his mystique is shattered and he's exposed. Loma claims dominance at 135 and Mikey has a more difficult time shaking off the stigma of that loss. It's really a matter of pride and perception from the boxing public. Even though Spence is the more dangerous fight, Mikey fears a loss to Loma more than Spence because of how it looks to fans and the boxing community as a whole.

Right? But nah. Apparently people like myself and you are Mikey haters for pointing out this reality.

[R-Hand Southpaw]

He's limited on options. He's not fought an elite opponent yet and wants to make big bucks. He's obviously not going to fight a Top Rank fighter so his options are at 147 in the PBC stable. I have my doubts he'll fight Spence. I think he'll wait to see if Pacquaio-Mayweather II falls through and see if he can get Pacquaio.

If he is serious about Spence my gut feeling is that Mikey is close to retiring and is looking for a cashout so why not do it against a guy who's supposed to wreck you? Win and you've done something great and can milk an extra big payday or two or lose and you have a (legit) excuse. His insistence on cherry picking titles in divisions but not defending them or trying to prove to be #1 in the divisions kind of show this so he can fall on "I'm a four weight world champion". Hey, Broner is also a 4 weight "champion" too.

People also forget if loma vs mikey happened now Mikey is legit B side. Lomachenko brings more money and more views than Mikey.

Mikey is trying to gain all the leverage he can. Some people here think he could be damaged goods, but I doubt it. I think hes smart enough to protect himself. Not everyone who fights a higher weight breaks their orbital bone or is damaged for life. Spence by TKO and Mikey will be okay.

[Derranged]

Uncle Bob is paying him to move up to protect Lameochenko...

[Mr. Philadel]

It’s a win win for Mikey...if he does well enough to lose a close decision...his stock rises...he gets dropped 4 times and gets up 3 times...his stock rises...he can’t lose no matter how you cut it...everybody already got him getting washed and iced...all he gotta do is show up and be himself...no pressure whatsoever...the pressure is on Spence to destroy Mikey

Respect to Mikey!!...big time!!

[chrisJS]

People also forget if loma vs mikey happened now Mikey is legit B side. Lomachenko brings more money and more views than Mikey.

Mikey is trying to gain all the leverage he can. Some people here think he could be damaged goods, but I doubt it. I think hes smart enough to protect himself. Not everyone who fights a higher weight breaks their orbital bone or is damaged for life. Spence by TKO and Mikey will be okay.

IF he fights Spence which I don't think he will. I think he'll get a bit of a methodical beating and quit around the middle rounds.

I think he'll then fight one or two more fights like he's been having like Lipinets for a belt and then retire. If he fights Spence in February, I think he'll be retired within a year of it.

[IceTrayDaGang]

It’s a win win for Mikey...if he does well enough to lose a close decision...his stock rises...he gets dropped 4 times and gets up 3 times...his stock rises...he can’t lose no matter how you cut it...everybody already got him getting washed and iced...all he gotta do is show up and be himself...no pressure whatsoever...the pressure is on Spence to destroy Mikey

Respect to Mikey!!...big time!!

only problem here is the damage he might take during the process.. no point of having your stock rise if you are ******ed already.

[R-Hand Southpaw]

IF he fights Spence which I don't think he will. I think he'll get a bit of a methodical beating and quit around the middle rounds.

I think he'll then fight one or two more fights like he's been having like Lipinets for a belt and then retire. If he fights Spence in February, I think he'll be retired within a year of it.

One of my biggest problems with Mikey, I like the guy however, is that the dude never showed heart

I love Mike Tyson, but it's the same thing there too. A good boxer who just looks like they dont have the heart and grit to dig deep.

Mikey is a business man straight up. I dont get how his fans dont see this. I agree with you 100% on the IF he fights spence he retires shortly after. He ain't draining back down to 135 and Lomachenko isnt going to 140.

Mikey is robbing us fans of seeing the fight we want.