This weekend, IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence, Jr. defeated Carlos Ocampo to retain his title before a sellout crowd. Spences first homecoming defense as champion and his first fight in Dallas since 2015 did not disappoint, as he pounded the body from the opening bell with his trademark attack and superb ring generalship.
Spence, who was making his second defense as a 147-pound champion, floored Ocampo in the opening round with a brutal 1-2 body shot combo. Ocampo (22-1, 13 KOs) crippled over in pain while on the canvas, was unable to beat the count and remained on the floor for more than two minutes while Spence celebrated his victory.
Errol Spence Jr. Knocks Out Carlos Ocampo in Round 1 | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Errol Spence Jr. knocks out welterweight contender Carlos Ocampo with a body shot in the first round of his second title defense.
Spence lives during a rare time when his division’s young stars are really hitting their stride. With the welterweight’s still delivering winning matchups, it is imperative that this time is used wisely to give the fans what they crave: top matchups only!
Yes, Keith “One Time” Thurman is still recovering from surgery and Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter will soon be fighting for the WBC strap. Terence Crawford just took out Jeff Horn to enter the welterweight ranks with the WBO strap in tow and he’s itching for a fight.
Fight Highlights: Terence Crawford vs. Jeff Horn
Terence Crawford dethrones Jeff Horn to become the new welterweight champion of the world.
At this point, only other belt holders should be in Spence’s path. When fights like Spence vs Ocampo occur, it cheapens the fans interest in the sport. It’s not like the Mike Tyson effect, where you expected the fast KO so you didn’t go to the bathroom.
Tyson was a heavyweight. The smaller weight classes are renown for their tenacity and blitzkrieg action that both tantalizes the eyes and keeps the ever-present lurk of danger as palpable as your heartbeat. There are other good fights out there like Jesse Vargas, but do we really think the young Spence needs more game challengers or straight belt-for-belt action?
Action-packed performances are where it’s at and the game will only benefit from all the division heavy-hitters getting on each other’s record sheet. Until then, the division will begin to be overshadowed by the featherweights and now the robust heavyweight division which has made boxing great again.
