The Truth, is that what we should be referring to him? How abaut severe badass? How about pound for pound number three..or two? Or better? Errol Spence had his way with respected vet Lamont Peterson, punishing the willing but out-gunner hitter and forcing a stoppage after seven rounds on Saturday night.
12,107 folks saw the Texan retain his IBF 147 strap, in efficient and cooly brutal fashion at Barclays Center, and on Showtime. And maybe we get ahead of ourselves talking this pound for pound status?but maybe not?and we salivate at fights to help prove the point.
Spence is now 23-0, with 20 KOs, and we chomp at the bit to think of him versus Keith Thurman and/or Terence Crawford. His methodology is ruthless in its efficency. He wastes no motion, and keeps amping up the power and pressure. Who can withstand the power?
These two were no strangers, having sparred awhile back, and Peterson trainer Barry Hunter spent time tutoring Spence, back in the day. If Hunter remembered any holes in the game, I think they?ve been patched.
In the first, ES pumped the jab, the lefty throwing that right range finder constantly. The jab won him the round.
In the second, jab and jab again, and again..and again, from Spence. Then, power. The crowd surged as the Texan hammered hard. LP wasn?t getting untracked, he was starting quite slow.
In the third, more consistent and insistent work from Spence. He stays composed, and doesn?t ever get discombobulated, or off balance?ever, it seems. One-twos were popping now. Peterson threw a right, then a body shot, he was getting into it. Lefts to the body early pay dividends late, oftentimes for Spence, would they this time?
In the fourth, more right hooks from Spence early. LP was being more of an initiator. Then Spence got busier again, got angles, and then got tagged. A right hand?A right to the body punished LP for that. Lively round.
In the fifth, down went LP. He was up, clear eyes. Spence was bombing. LP made it to the bell. A left uppercut started the pain and aleft sent LP to the mat, replay showed. A right hail mary landed on Spence, but he took it well. Some swelling on LP?s right eye was apparent.
To 6; Spence body work was precise and filthy. I made wince faces while Spence hit the lower gut. In round seven, we saw Spence let up some, maybe looking to switch it up, get a new angle, or lure LP into something. Conversation in the Peterson corner resulted in a stoppage. No more punishment. Eyes were swelling, hope was receding?Good stoppage, save the man?s brain from more rattling.
