1. Spence’s Move to 154: A Fresh Start
Errol Spence Jr. is aiming to reinvent himself at 154 pounds as he prepares to challenge Sebastian Fundora for his WBC and WBO Junior middleweight titles this November. Although the fight has yet to be finalized, it’s widely anticipated to take place later this year. This move marks a significant shift for Spence, who has had a challenging time making weight at 147 pounds in his recent bouts.
2. Shedding the Weight Struggle
Spence, the former unified welterweight champion, has experienced difficulties in his training camps, often starting at a much higher weight and enduring intense weight cuts. Rumors suggest that he began his camps for the Terence Crawford and Yordenis Ugas fights weighing between 180 to 190 pounds. Moving up to 154 pounds should alleviate these struggles, allowing Spence to focus more on his performance rather than drastic weight loss.
3. The Skeleton of Welterweight
In his last five fights at welterweight against Terence Crawford, Yordenis Ugas, Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter, and Mikey Garcia, Spence appeared skeletal at the weigh-ins. This drastic weight reduction likely affected his performance, leading to lackluster showings. The move to junior middleweight aims to restore Spence to his vintage form.
4. Learning from Past Mistakes
Spence’s fight against Ugas should have been a wake-up call. Despite winning a 12-round decision, he looked sluggish and was hurt during the bout. This performance hinted that it was time to move up in weight. Ugas was later dominated by Mario Barrios, indicating that Spence’s struggles might have been due to his weight cut rather than his skills.
5. A Full-Powered Spence at 154
At 154 pounds, a fully energized Spence could dominate the 6’6” Fundora. If Spence avoids the severe weight cut, he has the potential to knock out Fundora within six rounds, capturing the WBC and WBO titles. This victory would allow Spence to dictate his future in the junior middleweight division.
6. Potential Showdown with Vergil Ortiz Jr.
With the belts in his possession, Spence could choose his next opponent, and a match with Vergil Ortiz Jr. is an enticing possibility. Ortiz has expressed interest in fighting Spence at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This bout would not only be a significant event but also a lucrative one, drawing a substantial crowd and generating massive interest.
7. The Crawford Conundrum
Chasing a rematch with Terence Crawford might not be the best move for Spence. Crawford is focused on securing a retirement payday against Canelo Alvarez at 168 pounds. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh is expected to finance this mega-fight. Without Alalshikh’s support, the Canelo-Crawford bout wouldn’t happen, as Canelo sees no benefit in fighting Crawford.
8. A Fair Exchange
Spence could argue that Crawford owes him a rematch. Last year, Spence helped elevate Crawford’s career by agreeing to their fight, which turned Crawford into a superstar. It’s only fair that Crawford reciprocates. Despite Spence not having to take the fight, he did, and now he seeks the same opportunity from Crawford.
9. Spence’s New Era
The upcoming fight against Fundora is a crucial step in Spence’s career. Moving up in weight and avoiding the detrimental weight cuts could rejuvenate his performance and bring back the dominant Spence that fans knew from 2012 to 2018. This bout is more than just a title fight; it’s about reclaiming his status and proving his prowess in a new weight class.
10. The Future of Junior Middleweight
If Spence captures the WBC and WBO titles, he will have a wealth of opportunities at 154 pounds. The division is stacked with talent, and Spence’s presence will add excitement and competition. Fans can look forward to thrilling matchups and the potential resurgence of one of boxing’s most skilled fighters.
