Tag: Errol Spece Jr.

Errol Spence Jr. reportedly exercises rematch clause, will fight Terence Crawford again

Errol Spence Jr. reportedly has exercised a rematch clause that will allow him to meet Terence Crawford a second time.

Errol Spence Jr. evidently is a glutton for punishment.

The former 147-pound beltholder was dominated and ultimately knocked out by Terence Crawford in a battle for the undisputed championship on July 29 in Las Vegas, Spence’s first loss and a blow to his reputation.

Now he wants to go there again. Crawford’s trainer, Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, told Pro Boxing Fans that Spence has exercised the rematch clause in their original contract.

McIntyre said no specific date for the second fight has been discussed. He hopes it will happen before the end of the year.

“[Crawford] just texted me yesterday and said that Spence has activated his rematch. That’s confirmed,” McIntrye said.

The rematch almost certainly would take place at a 154 pounds, as Spence has indicated he plans to move up in weight.

Their first fight was thought to be a 50-50 matchup but quickly turned into a rout.

Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) dominated Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) beginning in the second round, when he put Spence down for the first of three times. He also dropped Spence twice in Round 7, when it became clear that Spence had little chance to win.

Crawford was simply too quick, too clever and too good for his fellow pound-for-pounder, as if he was fighting a journeyman.

The ending was brutal. Crawford stung Spence about midway through Round 9 and then unloaded as vicious an assault as you’ll ever see in the ring. Spence somehow remained on his feet but he took terrible punishment, enough to convince referee Harvey Dock to end the slaughter.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:32 of the ninth.

Thus, Crawford became the first man to win the undisputed welterweight championship and capture all four major titles in a second division.

[lawrence-related id=38354,38316,38311,38307]

Errol Spence Jr. reportedly exercises rematch clause, will fight Terence Crawford again

Errol Spence Jr. reportedly has exercised a rematch clause that will allow him to meet Terence Crawford a second time.

Errol Spence Jr. evidently is a glutton for punishment.

The former 147-pound beltholder was dominated and ultimately knocked out by Terence Crawford in a battle for the undisputed championship on July 29 in Las Vegas, Spence’s first loss and a blow to his reputation.

Now he wants to go there again. Crawford’s trainer, Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, told Pro Boxing Fans that Spence has exercised the rematch clause in their original contract.

McIntyre said no specific date for the second fight has been discussed. He hopes it will happen before the end of the year.

“[Crawford] just texted me yesterday and said that Spence has activated his rematch. That’s confirmed,” McIntrye said.

The rematch almost certainly would take place at a 154 pounds, as Spence has indicated he plans to move up in weight.

Their first fight was thought to be a 50-50 matchup but quickly turned into a rout.

Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) dominated Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) beginning in the second round, when he put Spence down for the first of three times. He also dropped Spence twice in Round 7, when it became clear that Spence had little chance to win.

Crawford was simply too quick, too clever and too good for his fellow pound-for-pounder, as if he was fighting a journeyman.

The ending was brutal. Crawford stung Spence about midway through Round 9 and then unloaded as vicious an assault as you’ll ever see in the ring. Spence somehow remained on his feet but he took terrible punishment, enough to convince referee Harvey Dock to end the slaughter.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:32 of the ninth.

Thus, Crawford became the first man to win the undisputed welterweight championship and capture all four major titles in a second division.

[lawrence-related id=38354,38316,38311,38307]

Terence Crawford needed showdown with Errol Spence Jr. to prove he’s great

Terence Crawford needed his pay-per-view showdown with Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday in Las Vegas. to prove he’s great.

Terence Crawford desperately needed to fight Errol Spence Jr.

He’s not hurting financially, although the eight-figure windfall he’ll receive after their fight for the undisputed 147-pound championship Saturday – by far the biggest of his career – will be welcomed. And he’s already guaranteed a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame based on of his world titles in three divisions, place on pound-for-pound lists and general dominance.

No, he needed this matchup to prove something else: that he’s truly an all-time great fighter. That’s the case whether he acknowledges it or not.

“My name is already up there with the all-time greatest welterweight fighters,” he said Tuesday. “It’s just a matter of going out there on Saturday and putting the cherry on top and furthering my legacy.”

Really?

Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) has fought seven times at 147 pounds, defeating Jeff Horn, Jose Benavidez Jr., Amir Khan, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, Kell Brook, Shawn Porter and David Avanesyan.

That’s a solid run, particularly because Crawford scored a knockout each time out. However, it doesn’t stamp him as one of the best welterweights ever.

The closest thing he has to a defining victory at any weight is his 10th-round knockout of Shawn Porter at 147 in November 2021. However, even that victory arguably has an asterisk because Porter clearly had one foot out of boxing. He never fought again.

What other victories stand out? Brook? The Briton also was in decline. Crawford’s second greatest win might be his decision over capable, but limited Viktor Postol at 140, which doesn’t carry much weight.

That’s why the meeting on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is so important. Spence is ranked No. 4 on the Boxing Junkie and other pound-for-pound lists. He’s a special fighter. If Crawford, ranked No. 1, is able to defeat his rival – particularly if he does it convincingly – he’ll have his defining victory.

Only then could we even begin to compare him to the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather.

To be clear, the intent here is not to diminish Crawford’s accomplishments and place among the best in the business. I’ve had Crawford No. 1 pound-for-pound from around the time he stopped Jeff Horn to win his 147-pound title in 2018.

I never understood how Canelo Alvarez ended up No. 1 on most lists even though I respect his accomplishments. I always thought Crawford was better.

That was based on the eye test, which he repeatedly has passed with A+ grades. And while he hasn’t faced an opponent even approaching greatness – it’s possible that none are bound for the Hall of Fame – he’s 16-0 in world titles fight and 10-0 against former or current beltholders.

That means he has fought – and beaten – a long string of legitimate contenders, which was good enough to garner him universal respect as an one of the best all-around fighters currently active.

And get this: He’s riding a streak of 10 consecutive knockouts going into Saturday. And all of them came in world title fights, in which it’s supposed to be more difficult to get stoppages.

That’s the kind of stuff that has set him apart from almost all of his peers and lifted him to star status, a level precious few fighters reach. Make no mistake: As things stand now, Crawford is one of the most important figures in the sport.

He simply needed a next-level opponent to reach the next level of recognition.

Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier and George Foreman. Leonard had Thomas Hearns. Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis had Mike Tyson. Mayweather had Manny Pacquiao. Great fighters need great foils to take their place among the legends of the sport.

That’s where Crawford stands a few days before the biggest fight of his life, on the threshold of true greatness.

And it came in the nick of time. Crawford hasn’t showed signs of decline but he’s 35 years old, an age when most fighters have begun to slow down or even transition into their next phase of life.

Better late than never. Crawford finally has his big opportunity. Now all he has to do is win.

[lawrence-related id=38223,38219,38215,38181,38127,37748]

Terence Crawford needed showdown with Errol Spence Jr. to prove he’s great

Terence Crawford needed his pay-per-view showdown with Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday in Las Vegas. to prove he’s great.

Terence Crawford desperately needed to fight Errol Spence Jr.

He’s not hurting financially, although the eight-figure windfall he’ll receive after their fight for the undisputed 147-pound championship Saturday – by far the biggest of his career – will be welcomed. And he’s already guaranteed a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame based on of his world titles in three divisions, place on pound-for-pound lists and general dominance.

No, he needed this matchup to prove something else: that he’s truly an all-time great fighter. That’s the case whether he acknowledges it or not.

“My name is already up there with the all-time greatest welterweight fighters,” he said Tuesday. “It’s just a matter of going out there on Saturday and putting the cherry on top and furthering my legacy.”

Really?

Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) has fought seven times at 147 pounds, defeating Jeff Horn, Jose Benavidez Jr., Amir Khan, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, Kell Brook, Shawn Porter and David Avanesyan.

That’s a solid run, particularly because Crawford scored a knockout each time out. However, it doesn’t stamp him as one of the best welterweights ever.

The closest thing he has to a defining victory at any weight is his 10th-round knockout of Shawn Porter at 147 in November 2021. However, even that victory arguably has an asterisk because Porter clearly had one foot out of boxing. He never fought again.

What other victories stand out? Brook? The Briton also was in decline. Crawford’s second greatest win might be his decision over capable, but limited Viktor Postol at 140, which doesn’t carry much weight.

That’s why the meeting on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is so important. Spence is ranked No. 4 on the Boxing Junkie and other pound-for-pound lists. He’s a special fighter. If Crawford, ranked No. 1, is able to defeat his rival – particularly if he does it convincingly – he’ll have his defining victory.

Only then could we even begin to compare him to the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather.

To be clear, the intent here is not to diminish Crawford’s accomplishments and place among the best in the business. I’ve had Crawford No. 1 pound-for-pound from around the time he stopped Jeff Horn to win his 147-pound title in 2018.

I never understood how Canelo Alvarez ended up No. 1 on most lists even though I respect his accomplishments. I always thought Crawford was better.

That was based on the eye test, which he repeatedly has passed with A+ grades. And while he hasn’t faced an opponent even approaching greatness – it’s possible that none are bound for the Hall of Fame – he’s 16-0 in world titles fight and 10-0 against former or current beltholders.

That means he has fought – and beaten – a long string of legitimate contenders, which was good enough to garner him universal respect as an one of the best all-around fighters currently active.

And get this: He’s riding a streak of 10 consecutive knockouts going into Saturday. And all of them came in world title fights, in which it’s supposed to be more difficult to get stoppages.

That’s the kind of stuff that has set him apart from almost all of his peers and lifted him to star status, a level precious few fighters reach. Make no mistake: As things stand now, Crawford is one of the most important figures in the sport.

He simply needed a next-level opponent to reach the next level of recognition.

Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier and George Foreman. Leonard had Thomas Hearns. Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis had Mike Tyson. Mayweather had Manny Pacquiao. Great fighters need great foils to take their place among the legends of the sport.

That’s where Crawford stands a few days before the biggest fight of his life, on the threshold of true greatness.

And it came in the nick of time. Crawford hasn’t showed signs of decline but he’s 35 years old, an age when most fighters have begun to slow down or even transition into their next phase of life.

Better late than never. Crawford finally has his big opportunity. Now all he has to do is win.

[lawrence-related id=38223,38219,38215,38181,38127,37748]

Jaron Ennis caps dominating peformance with brutal knockout of Roiman Villa, calls out everyone

Jaron Ennis dominated Roiman Villa before delivering a brutal 10th-round knockout and then called out all the top 147-pounders Saturday.

You had to feel sorry for Roiman Villa.

Jaron Ennis outboxed his fellow welterweight contender, kept his jab in his face, picked him apart with blows that would stop many fighters, methodically beat him up and finally delivered a brutal knockout in the 10th round Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Villa, as durable as they come, never stopped trying but he also never stood a realistic chance. Ennis, perhaps the best fighter in the world who has yet to fight for a major title, was just too good.

“I knew I was going to start breaking him up earlier,” Ennis said. “Pop (trainer Bozy Ennis) kept saying, ‘Just wait, not yet. You’re breaking him down, keeping taking your time. You’re going to get him.’ That’s what I did.

“I went back to having fun, being sharp, and I came out with a victory.”

Ennis, alternately fighting from orthodox and southpaw stances, flicked his jab to the head of Villa 26-2, 24 KOs) almost the entire fight. That alone made it difficult for the Venezuelan slugger to get anything accomplished in the mismatch.

However, Ennis used the jab to set up some of the most lethal power punches in the business. Villa clearly has one of the better chins in boxing but even he could endure only so much punishment before he could no longer continue.

Villa had his moments, particularly when Ennis gave into his brawling instincts. They engaged in a number of entertaining exchanges from close range, and Villa landed his share of eye-catching shots.

That was the exception, however. Ennis never engaged for too long, using his feet to move back out of harm’s way and continue his assault from a safer distance.

“My performance was good but a lot of things I could’ve done better,” Ennis said. “I could’ve listened to my corner a little more. My dad wanted more body shots and more angles. I was standing in front of him a little too much, getting hit with shots I wasn’t supposed to get hit with.

“But at the end of the day, you know.”

At the end of the day, Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) did what he expected to do: Score another knockout.

The pivotal shot was a straight left to the chin of Villa, which hurt him badly. Ennis followed with a right hook that put his wilting prey on the canvas just as referee David Fields was jumping between them, apparently intending to stop the fight.

Fields did so with a glassy-eyed Villas sitting on the bottom rope. The official time of the stopped was 1:27 of the 10th round.

The fact Villa lasted that long is a testament to his conditioning, determination and ability to take a punch.

“I’m not surprised,” Ennis said of his opponent’s durability. “I knew he was a tough kid. I just had to be smart, take my time, keep touching him. I knew I was going to get him.”

Now if he could only get a big fight.

Ennis’ performance underscored the notion that he’s a threat to anyone, including 147-pound kings Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr., who are scheduled to face one another for the undisputed championship on July 29.

Of course, Ennis would love to fight the winner. However, with the possibility of a Crawford-Spence rematch and the general unpredictability of boxing, Ennis isn’t counting on anything.

He told Boxing Junkie a week before the fight that he can do only one thing:  be ready when the time comes. He sure looked ready on Saturday.

“I’ll take [Eimantas] Stanionis. [Vergil] Ortiz, his opponent, fell out or whatever [on Saturday],” he said. “I’ll take Stanionis in a heartbeat. I want to try to get back into the ring one more time late in the year. Let’s make it happen. Stanionis, Keith Thurman, [Yordenis] Ugas, Bud [Crawford], Spence, all the top guys out there.

“Let’s make these fights happen. Let’s get it poppin.”

Jaron Ennis caps dominating peformance with brutal knockout of Roiman Villa, calls out everyone

Jaron Ennis dominated Roiman Villa before delivering a brutal 10th-round knockout and then called out all the top 147-pounders Saturday.

You had to feel sorry for Roiman Villa.

Jaron Ennis outboxed his fellow welterweight contender, kept his jab in his face, picked him apart with blows that would stop many fighters, methodically beat him up and finally delivered a brutal knockout in the 10th round Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Villa, as durable as they come, never stopped trying but he also never stood a realistic chance. Ennis, perhaps the best fighter in the world who has yet to fight for a major title, was just too good.

“I knew I was going to start breaking him up earlier,” Ennis said. “Pop (trainer Bozy Ennis) kept saying, ‘Just wait, not yet. You’re breaking him down, keeping taking your time. You’re going to get him.’ That’s what I did.

“I went back to having fun, being sharp, and I came out with a victory.”

Ennis, alternately fighting from orthodox and southpaw stances, flicked his jab to the head of Villa 26-2, 24 KOs) almost the entire fight. That alone made it difficult for the Venezuelan slugger to get anything accomplished in the mismatch.

However, Ennis used the jab to set up some of the most lethal power punches in the business. Villa clearly has one of the better chins in boxing but even he could endure only so much punishment before he could no longer continue.

Villa had his moments, particularly when Ennis gave into his brawling instincts. They engaged in a number of entertaining exchanges from close range, and Villa landed his share of eye-catching shots.

That was the exception, however. Ennis never engaged for too long, using his feet to move back out of harm’s way and continue his assault from a safer distance.

“My performance was good but a lot of things I could’ve done better,” Ennis said. “I could’ve listened to my corner a little more. My dad wanted more body shots and more angles. I was standing in front of him a little too much, getting hit with shots I wasn’t supposed to get hit with.

“But at the end of the day, you know.”

At the end of the day, Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) did what he expected to do: Score another knockout.

The pivotal shot was a straight left to the chin of Villa, which hurt him badly. Ennis followed with a right hook that put his wilting prey on the canvas just as referee David Fields was jumping between them, apparently intending to stop the fight.

Fields did so with a glassy-eyed Villas sitting on the bottom rope. The official time of the stopped was 1:27 of the 10th round.

The fact Villa lasted that long is a testament to his conditioning, determination and ability to take a punch.

“I’m not surprised,” Ennis said of his opponent’s durability. “I knew he was a tough kid. I just had to be smart, take my time, keep touching him. I knew I was going to get him.”

Now if he could only get a big fight.

Ennis’ performance underscored the notion that he’s a threat to anyone, including 147-pound kings Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr., who are scheduled to face one another for the undisputed championship on July 29.

Of course, Ennis would love to fight the winner. However, with the possibility of a Crawford-Spence rematch and the general unpredictability of boxing, Ennis isn’t counting on anything.

He told Boxing Junkie a week before the fight that he can do only one thing:  be ready when the time comes. He sure looked ready on Saturday.

“I’ll take [Eimantas] Stanionis. [Vergil] Ortiz, his opponent, fell out or whatever [on Saturday],” he said. “I’ll take Stanionis in a heartbeat. I want to try to get back into the ring one more time late in the year. Let’s make it happen. Stanionis, Keith Thurman, [Yordenis] Ugas, Bud [Crawford], Spence, all the top guys out there.

“Let’s make these fights happen. Let’s get it poppin.”

Jaron Ennis plans to start new knockout streak against Roiman Villa

Jaron Ennis plans to start a new knockout streak against Roiman Villa on Saturday in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Jaron Ennis is doing what many of the top contenders are doing: He’s waiting.

The 147-pound knockout artist is beating every second-tier opponent placed in front of him and waiting for his big opportunity, a showdown with one of the titleholders (the Terence Crawford-Errol Spence Jr. winner?) or another top welterweight.

If playing that game bothers him, he doesn’t show it.

“It’s not really difficult,” he told Boxing Junkie. “… I have to patient, stay focused, get better every single day. When the time comes, I’ll be more than ready.”

Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) is scheduled to face one of those second-tier opponents, Roiman Villa, on Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey (Showtime). And, of course, he must win to even think about taking part in a major event.

That might not be easy. Villa (26-1, 24 KOs) is a solid boxer with elite punching power, although he earned the meeting with Ennis by outpointing his toughest opponents in his last two fights, previously unbeaten contenders Janelson Bocachica and Rashidi Ellis.

Ennis compared Villa to a previous opponent of his, Sergey Lipinets, a clever, rugged boxer. Ennis stopped Lipinets in six rounds.

One more thing about Villa: Ennis won’t have to chase him down when the opening bell rings, as he did against the capable, but reluctant Karen Chukhadzhian. The Ukrainian survived but lost every round, which snapped Ennis’ knockout streak at 19 (not counting a no-contest).

Ennis would like to start a new streak on Saturday.

“He’ll be right there in front of me,” Ennis said of Villa. “He’s not going to be moving, he’s not going to run. That’s perfect for me. He’s like Lipinets a little bit, although I feel Lipinets is a lot craftier. …

“[A knockout) is the goal. I want to look good, be sharp, beat him up, get that stoppage.”

Then the 26-year-old would go back to waiting.

Of course, a meeting with the winner of the July 29 Crawford-Spence fight for the undisputed championship would be boxing’s equivalent of winning the lottery but there’s no telling what might follow that bout.

A lucrative rematch would make sense if the original is competitive, as it’s expected to be. Or the winner could move up to 154 pounds, which would create vacancies and all kinds of possibilities.

Ennis can only watch with the rest of us to see how it all plays out, assuming things go well for him in Atlantic City.

“I don’t know when I’ll get that shot,” he said. “Hopefully when they do fight each other, Crawford and Spence, hopefully there’ll be no rematch clause. [But] I probably won’t get a title shot until next year.

“May main focus is Villa right now. I’m locked in on him.”

[lawrence-related id=38003,35030]

Jaron Ennis plans to start new knockout streak against Roiman Villa

Jaron Ennis plans to start a new knockout streak against Roiman Villa on Saturday in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Jaron Ennis is doing what many of the top contenders are doing: He’s waiting.

The 147-pound knockout artist is beating every second-tier opponent placed in front of him and waiting for his big opportunity, a showdown with one of the titleholders (the Terence Crawford-Errol Spence Jr. winner?) or another top welterweight.

If playing that game bothers him, he doesn’t show it.

“It’s not really difficult,” he told Boxing Junkie. “… I have to patient, stay focused, get better every single day. When the time comes, I’ll be more than ready.”

Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) is scheduled to face one of those second-tier opponents, Roiman Villa, on Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey (Showtime). And, of course, he must win to even think about taking part in a major event.

That might not be easy. Villa (26-1, 24 KOs) is a solid boxer with elite punching power, although he earned the meeting with Ennis by outpointing his toughest opponents in his last two fights, previously unbeaten contenders Janelson Bocachica and Rashidi Ellis.

Ennis compared Villa to a previous opponent of his, Sergey Lipinets, a clever, rugged boxer. Ennis stopped Lipinets in six rounds.

One more thing about Villa: Ennis won’t have to chase him down when the opening bell rings, as he did against the capable, but reluctant Karen Chukhadzhian. The Ukrainian survived but lost every round, which snapped Ennis’ knockout streak at 19 (not counting a no-contest).

Ennis would like to start a new streak on Saturday.

“He’ll be right there in front of me,” Ennis said of Villa. “He’s not going to be moving, he’s not going to run. That’s perfect for me. He’s like Lipinets a little bit, although I feel Lipinets is a lot craftier. …

“[A knockout) is the goal. I want to look good, be sharp, beat him up, get that stoppage.”

Then the 26-year-old would go back to waiting.

Of course, a meeting with the winner of the July 29 Crawford-Spence fight for the undisputed championship would be boxing’s equivalent of winning the lottery but there’s no telling what might follow that bout.

A lucrative rematch would make sense if the original is competitive, as it’s expected to be. Or the winner could move up to 154 pounds, which would create vacancies and all kinds of possibilities.

Ennis can only watch with the rest of us to see how it all plays out, assuming things go well for him in Atlantic City.

“I don’t know when I’ll get that shot,” he said. “Hopefully when they do fight each other, Crawford and Spence, hopefully there’ll be no rematch clause. [But] I probably won’t get a title shot until next year.

“May main focus is Villa right now. I’m locked in on him.”

[lawrence-related id=38003,35030]