Errol Spence Jr Isn't Ready For Thurman OR Porter

[bnovelist]

When the talent is that close I'd have to go with higher brain and it's clearly Thurman. They are both the same age but Errol talks like a 21yr old

and Thurman talks like an old wise man. Like a Steve Harvey. Spence is too dumb and slow for Thurman.

[In the know 85]

Errol spence jr punches holes in thurman and porter! Only a fool would say he's not ready!

[In the know 85]

Are you serious? Thurman is one tough SOB! He has the speed and power of Roy Jones @ 147lbs what you talkin bout fella?

"Has the power of Roy Jones @147" Jesus Christ I've heard it all now!

[Kalan]

Thurman is a great fighter no doubt... He would beat Floyd and Pacquiao at their best... Spence is better.

Best 147 fight is Brook vs Spence... Just f**king forget it lad -- that's a FOTY... maybe FOTC

[rivado]

Porter and Augustus could hardly be more different

Not so much their fighting syle but more in terms of projection of his (Port's) potential...where he fits in and ends up, etc. I mean I see Porter and I think "name journeyman" Friday night fighter. We all love them but know why they are there...

Porter vs Gatti, bam! who wins?

[Oiky]

Spence certainly isn't the finished article yet. But will be capable of big things

[Badhusker]

One of Spence's best attributes is his vicious body punching, which seems to be Thurman's Achilles heel, so to speak. Thurman turned down Spence for a chance at one of Floyd's belts last year in fear of losing in my opinion, and turned around and fought Collazo, who isn't even in Spence's league, despite his experience.

Of course Spence has some proving to do, as he admits himself, but he is game and will take any top level opponent in a heartbeat. Spence is the one name Thurman avoids mentioning. I can see Porter fighting Spence before Thurman. Spence is ready for any welter.

[Evander]

Thurman is tough and I'm not sure Spence is quite ready for him right now, but Porter's style might suit Spence a bit better.

[Badhusker]

Thurman is tough and I'm not sure Spence is quite ready for him right now, but Porter's style might suit Spence a bit better.

If Thurman would not have turned down a chance to fight Spence for one of Floyd's belts, I might think differently, but he did. THEN, he took a fight with Collazo, who just had his ass handed to him by Amir Khan, and isn't even gatekeeper status. Porter might give Spence more trouble due to his relentless style, solid chin, and awesome conditioning. Thurman is a harder puncher and technically better than Porter imo, but Porter is a hard guy to look good against if you can't stop him.

[Evander]

Who do you beat easier ?

[Badhusker]

Who do you beat easier ?

s

Fair question. In my opinion it would be Thurman, due to the style match-up. In no way do I think Thurman is an easy fight for any welterweight. I think Spence does break him down though, and from what I have seen his ability to cut off the ring is under-rated. Thurman would have taken the Spence "Tune-up" (for a belt) if he had the balls, but he didn't. Something about Spence apparently spooks him.

Porter, with his relentless style would either lose a decision or TKO if Spence has the kind of power I think he has. All speculation of course. Anyway, I think Spence beats Thurman easier than Porter, imo.

[davie]

Thurman is a great fighter no doubt... He would beat Floyd and Pacquiao at their best... Spence is better.

Best 147 fight is Brook vs Spence... Just f**king forget it lad -- that's a FOTY... maybe FOTC

Let me see if I can figure out what you're saying here, Brook and Spence top, then Thurman, then prime Floyd and Pacquiao.
I'm guessing the fact Porter pushed Brook and Thurman close has him up there too
so:

1. Spence
2. Brook
3. Thurman
4. Porter
5. Prime Floyd
6. Prime Pacquiao
Is that what you'#re saying??????

Get the fornicate out of here

[davie]

Just got round to watching this one and agree with B on this one, after this performance Thurman has to be considered the number 1 welter in the world right now.
This was a great fight and Thurman was fantastic in it.
I've felt he was limited before, trying to tee up the right hand, fairly one diomensional.
But Porter drew something more out of him, made him think and also made him work in ways he hasn't had to before.

Physically he showed he can handle himself under extreme duress, handled the clinches and inside work. Showed his heart and engine as well as a solid beard
Mentally he showed calmness and good movement to get himself out of tight spots and some lovely timing and control of distance throughout.

Brook edged the victory against Porter by the narrowest margin, Thurman's win was much more conclusive and I'd actually say Porter was better against Thurman.

Perhaps someone like Spence will dethrone him in time but for now he has to be considered number one

As for Porter, he may not be number one or even number two or three, but he will give anyone in that division a helluva test and he still has top wins in the tank if any of the top names come in against him anything less than 100%

[SaadOffTheDeck]

He's been ready, just needs a dance partner.

[davie]

He's been ready, just needs a dance partner.

I'd really really like to see him in with Porter now.

Because my worry is, he fights some top 15 ranked no-mark for Kell Brooks IBF title, then spends the next 18 months defending against piss poor voluntary opponents before the IBF make Leonard Bundu or Bradley Skeete mandatory


**Edit** - I just looked at Spence's Boxrec page and he's down to fight Bundu
I would say you couldn't make it up, but I just did.
You just know that this will be made into a fight for the vacant IBF title now, don't you?

[Badhusker]

He's been ready, just needs a dance partner.

I'd really really like to see him in with Porter now.

Because my worry is, he fights some top 15 ranked no-mark for Kell Brooks IBF title, then spends the next 18 months defending against piss poor voluntary opponents before the IBF make Leonard Bundu or Bradley Skeete mandatory


**Edit** - I just looked at Spence's Boxrec page and he's down to fight Bundu
I would say you couldn't make it up, but I just did.
You just know that this will be made into a fight for the vacant IBF title now, don't you?

Spence is down to fight any welter that is game. He has to jump one more hurdle before being Brook's mandatory. IBF Vacant? Not happening unless Brook shocks the world, or vacates. (Which I think he would do to avoid Spence) Lets just hope after Brook gets KO'd by GGG he has the boys to face Spence. Brook's title won't be vacated unless Brook vacates it.
BTW, Bundu is about the level that Brook has fought most of his career. Actually Bundu is better than most of what Brook has fought.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

They went down the line and they all, including Vazquez, said no thanks.

[davie]

He's been ready, just needs a dance partner.

I'd really really like to see him in with Porter now.

Because my worry is, he fights some top 15 ranked no-mark for Kell Brooks IBF title, then spends the next 18 months defending against piss poor voluntary opponents before the IBF make Leonard Bundu or Bradley Skeete mandatory


**Edit** - I just looked at Spence's Boxrec page and he's down to fight Bundu
I would say you couldn't make it up, but I just did.
You just know that this will be made into a fight for the vacant IBF title now, don't you?

Spence is down to fight any welter that is game. He has to jump one more hurdle before being Brook's mandatory. IBF Vacant? Not happening unless Brook shocks the world, or vacates. (Which I think he would do to avoid Spence) Lets just hope after Brook gets KO'd by GGG he has the boys to face Spence. Brook's title won't be vacated unless Brook vacates it.
BTW, Bundu is about the level that Brook has fought most of his career. Actually Bundu is better than most of what Brook has fought.

As has been said a million times on boxing forums, I've no doubt Errol Spence would fight anyone put in front of him, I'm not questioning his bravery. But would his team put him in with anyone?
If there is an easy route to a title, then easy defences that they can cash in on, his team will take it.
Then, when a big money shot comes along and reward>risk, then and only then will they put him in with whoever that fight is against.

As for the 2 statements above in red, I don't think we should be questioning his "boys" when he is about to get obliterated, not only by the scariest man in the sport, but he's going up 2 weight classes to do it.
I don't think the size of Brooks "boys" are in question here.
Again, like Spence, I've no doubt he'd take any fight, Spence included.
But like Spence's team, they will manage risk vs reward. And the reward of getting pummeled by Golovkin clearly outweighs the reward for a potential (but not inevitable) defeat from Spence.

As for the level Brook has fought at, few have criticised him (or rather his team) more than I, for his low level of opposition over the last few years.
And that criticism has been earned and deserved.
But right now, he is about to get into the ring, in what will be the bravest bit of match making this decade, so I'm going to cut the lad a bit slack just for the next few months.

Interesting question, let's say Brook vacates (which I think he will, he is probably finished at 147lbs)
But let's say he frees up the title for what ever reason and Spence wins it, then Brook comes back down to 147lbs after a valiant effort against Golovkin.
Do you think Brook would be calling him out? (the reward would be worthwhile for Brook as he would be the one chasing a title)
Do you think Spence's team would be a rush to put him in to defend against Brook, if a similar payday could be taken against Lamont Peterson or Andre Berto?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I'm not going to act like I know him well but I've met him a couple times and I absolutely think he would leave pbc if al tried to set up nothing fights. Bundu to secure the mandatory is one thing, but he wouldn't take those fights for long. Too bad Sammy wasn't ready. That would have been perfect.