Welterweight southpaw Errol Spence (16-0, 13 KO’s) believes he will make inroads to the nucleus of his division shortly if he keeps up the hard work that has brought him this far.
In an interview with BoxingNewsOnline.net Spence -who was a mainstay in the Mayweather Gym until recently- mentioned some reputable future opponents he would like to face should he remain diligent on the same track.
“I want to look great, so I have to stay focused and work hard. That’s the only way that I’m going to get where I want to be and get to the top and get to fighting these known name opponents. I just have to stay focused and just stay dedicated, and I’ll definitely be fighting more known opponents, like Robert Guerrero or Keith Thurman or Amir Khan or somebody like that.”
That effectively translates to a world title shot as the three fighters he mentioned either hold a belt (the regular WBA title belongs to Thurman) or are within a hair of becoming world champions themselves.
Spence is aware that very soon there will be a mad dash by all the premier 147-pounders to establish themselves at the head of the pack after the reigning king abdicates. Whatever hierarchy is established after that is what Spence will have to work his way through on his way to the top.
“These are the guys that are in the top ten, that are in the top five. These are the guys that are supposed to be there after Floyd retires in September; these are the guys that are going to be supposedly running the division, so these are the guys I’m looking at. I’m nowhere near close to fighting Mayweather because I haven’t even gotten in the top ten yet. These are the guys that I’m looking at that are in the top ten that are supposedly running the weight class after Floyd’s gone and retired.”
And when that sad day comes to pass the WBA Super, WBO and WBC titles; they will be eagerly snatched up by the ablest predators.
Thurman will get the first chance to promote his status within the WBA for the Super title, but who will contest for the other two is anybody’s guess. As is sometimes the case with rankings the two fighters in the highest positions do not automatically get to face off for the vacant belt.
By the time Spence works his way to the front of the queue, there may already be established champions awaiting his challenge but that time is perhaps some way off.
As the young Texan rightly said, until he gets his opportunity he just needs to keep putting good work in and continue in the same fashion that has marked him as one of the most promising talents making his name.
Spence will get a chance to make another good impression this Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where he will face Phil Lo Greco over 10 rounds.
