LOS ANGELES — When Errol Spence Jr. got his first opportunity to fight for a welterweight world title in 2017, it came about only because he was a mandatory challenger. Nobody with a belt wanted to voluntarily give him a shot because facing him figured to be such a high-risk/low-reward proposition.
Spence’s opportunity came on the road. He traveled to Kell Brook’s hometown of Sheffield, England, and scored an impressive 11th-round KO to win the belt.
Spence’s quest to fight top welterweights hasn’t yielded his desired results. In March, Spence agreed to fight much smaller Mikey Garcia, who had called him out during his postfight interview after beating Robert Easter Jr. in July 2018. Garcia, who had won titles in four divisions, moved up two weight divisions to challenge Spence. Garcia paid the price and lost every single round of their fight.
One man who hasn’t shied away from a challenge in the ring is two-time welterweight world titlist Shawn Porter. For years he has tangled with top welterweights, including Danny Garcia, whom he outpointed to win a vacant title last September. After a mandatory defense in March against another formidable foe — Yordenis Ugas — Porter was more than willing to accept a fight with Spence.
Spence and Porter will battle Saturday at Staples Center (Fox PPV, 9 p.m ET). Both believe the winner should be considered the best welterweight in the world, even though the division is also home to legendary titleholder Manny Pacquiao and titlist Terence Crawford.
“There’s no way around it. The winner is the unified champion,” Spence said. “So, I definitely think the winner should be considered the top welterweight in the world, and that makes me even more excited and hungry to win.
“I’m looking to make a statement by being the first person to knock Shawn out. I showed people that I have the great boxing skills against Mikey Garcia, and now I’m going to remind everyone about my power.”
Porter also has a deep desire for victory.
“I don’t just want to challenge Errol Spence Jr. I took on this fight because I want to be the guy who beats him and takes his ‘0,’” Porter said of Spence’s perfect record. “I think Kell Brook challenged him, but I’m here to have my hand raised at the end of the night.”
