Boxing top 10 pound-for-pound list: Loma leads the way
8. Errol Spence Jr.
Record: 24-0, 21 KOs
It is splitting hairs when deciding who to rank higher between Spence and Garcia. Garcia has a better resume, but Spence has an ‘it’ factor that wows you every time you watch.
A member of the 2012 US Olympic boxing team, Spence was unable to medal. However, many who watched felt his style was very well suited for the professional ranks.
Six years later and it turns out those people were right. Spence is just entering the prime of his career at 28 years old, and he has stormed to the top of the welterweight division.
Starting his career relatively untested, ‘The Truth’ quickly improved his record to 21-0 with 18 KOs. One of those 21 wins was against Chris Algieri, where Spence earned a knockout, something the great Manny Pacquiao was unable to do.
Despite his relatively weak list of opponents, Spence decided to take a bet on himself and took a huge step up in class when he went overseas to IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook’s backyard. It was a great fight, but Spence eventually broke down Brook, breaking his orbital bone and earning a KO in the 11th round.
After this fight, it was official: Spence was not just a good fighter, but a great fighter.
Following up his impressive performance, Spence defended his title against Lamont Peterson, a veteran who always shows up to fight. Spence absolutely dominated Peterson, whose corner stopped the fight in the seventh round.
This June, Spence fought his mandatory challenger, Carlos Ocampo, in a fight that served as a homecoming for Spence. It took place at the Ford Center (which is a part of the Dallas Cowboys facility) in Frisco, Texas.
Spence grew up in Desoto, which is just a short car ride away from Dallas. As such, Spence was a Cowboys fan growing up, and he was able to fight in front of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and quarterback Dak Prescott, among other Cowboy players.
He made sure to not disappoint them, ending the fight in the first round with a crushing body blow. Ocampo was unable to beat the count, and Spence retained his title.
Spence is clearly the best welterweight in the world right now. None of the other fighters appear in a rush to get in the ring with him, and frankly who could blame them.
If his career continues the way it has been going, he will end up in the top five of this list.
Next fight: Following his win over Robert Easter, Mikey Garcia called out Spence. Spence, who was ringside, was shown on screen with a smile ear to ear and clapping.
It appears as though that fight will take place, and will be on Showtime PPV at the end of this year.