BoxRec

Those would be some good fights but probably won't happen.

Either Porter or Vargas would be a decent opponent. He seems to have his heart set on Thurman, though, and that would be a very popular fight.

I like Spence's refreshing "I want to fight the best" attitude, which has been sadly lacking in many boxers in recent years.

He has an entertaining fighting style, a fan-friendly combination of skill and aggressiveness. I think he may clean the division out, although some will likely avoid him.

ppl say mannys shot and then want a big welterweight monster like spence to fight a guy who could barely win a round against little manny?

i guess if no one else will fight spence then vargas is fine but tbh he doesnt interest me at all

Freedom2013 wrote: ↑21 Jan 2018, 05:03 Either Porter or Vargas would be a decent opponent. He seems to have his heart set on Thurman, though, and that would be a very popular fight.

I like Spence's refreshing "I want to fight the best" attitude, which has been sadly lacking in many boxers in recent years.

He has an entertaining fighting style, a fan-friendly combination of skill and aggressiveness. I think he may clean the division out, although some will likely avoid him.

Thurman made some money and he likes that good life. The problem is he's wasting his prime and the inactivity is one hell of an enemy for a fighter. Thurman would probably fight Vargas or rematch Garcia this year. Spence ain't getting that work.

jamamb wrote: ↑21 Jan 2018, 05:13 ppl say mannys shot and then want a big welterweight monster like spence to fight a guy who could barely win a round against little manny?

i guess if no one else will fight spence then vargas is fine but tbh he doesnt interest me at all

Vargas is a decent fight for Spence. Other options could be Ponomarev and Jamal James.

Porter had a chance to fight Spence, the same as Danny Garcia. Garcia didn't even answer the call, and Porter said in an interview he was "going a different route", and wanted Thurman. He said the IBF belt is one he already had 3 years ago. He said they may meet in the future, but not now.

In other words, Porter and Garcia could have fought for Spence's belt, but Garcia chose Rios, and Porter chose Grandos in non-title fights. They want no part of Spence right now. Garcia told Spence 2 years ago he had to earn his shot, then turned around and fought someone that Spence had already KO'd.

Vargas may fight him, but only if he doesn't get a shot a Thurman first.

Badhusker wrote: ↑21 Jan 2018, 08:51 Porter had a chance to fight Spence, the same as Danny Garcia. Garcia didn't even answer the call, and Porter said in an interview he was "going a different route", and wanted Thurman. He said the IBF belt is one he already had 3 years ago. He said they may meet in the future, but not now.

In other words, Porter and Garcia could have fought for Spence's belt, but Garcia chose Rios, and Porter chose Grandos in non-title fights. They want no part of Spence right now. Garcia told Spence 2 years ago he had to earn his shot, then turned around and fought someone that Spence had already KO'd.

Vargas may fight him, but only if he doesn't get a shot a Thurman first.

Then Spence at least must stay active and fight 3 times / year.

I think Porter is the only top WW who will agree to fight Spence, so we should see that soon.

Just give us Spence/Garcia or Spence/Thurman already. PBC doesn't do enough cards anymore to give these guys gimme fights, which is what Spence/Vargas would be.

boxing_rocks wrote: ↑21 Jan 2018, 12:41 I think Porter is the only top WW who will agree to fight Spence, so we should see that soon.

Let's hope.

Vargas is probably fighting Thurman next, so I'd count him out. Porter has his heart set on Thurman and looks like he'd wait for him, so I'd count him out too. Crawford/Horn are fighting each other. I can't and don't want to see Pacman take it. Garcia isn't taking it.

If Spence is trying to fight two more times this year, a lot of the big names are tied up or reluctant to fight him. I'm looking at Matthysse, Skeete, Ocampo/Ponomarev winner (If that fight is still happening), and Granados. Not my preferred options, but Spence has to stay busy and can only fight who might be willing.

But Vargas would be too easy of an opponent, though.

Lackeos wrote: ↑21 Jan 2018, 13:58 But Vargas would be too easy of an opponent, though.

In all honesty, aside Thurman/Porter/Garcia/Crawford, they all might be too easy of an opponent. All those guys are either reluctant or tied up for the year. So if Spence has two fights with any next tier guys to stay active and improve his craft, I can't argue with it.

Porter seems the most deserving since Thurman has reiterated on numerous occasions that he won't "bother" with Spence in 2018.

But to be effective, Porter needs to employ his aggressive, wade in style.

Wouldn't a heavy handed, fast, accurate puncher like Spence just eat up a style like that?

Although once a fighter eats a few rapid combinations from the champion, suddenly they're no longer eager to be so aggressive.

Vargas? He lost almost every round to Bradley. Saved his reputation by staggering Bradley late in the 12th in a somewhat controversial finish.

He also lost most rounds to Pacquiao. Why should we think that Vargas can hang for 12 with Spence?

It's safer for him to focus on Thurman in the spring. Thurman seems to have lost a lot of the fire he displayed as a young, rising welter.

Vargas would still lose but he might escape with his life against Thurman. He might not he so lucky with Spence.

might escape with his life vs thurman, but not so lucky vs spence? are you talking about vargas actually dying in the ring

jamamb wrote: ↑21 Jan 2018, 15:15 might escape with his life vs thurman, but not so lucky vs spence? are you talking about vargas actually dying in the ring

I think he's referring to getting KO'd.

“Right now it’s not an option because it’s the IBF,” Porter told a group of reporters Saturday night. “I’m not sure if I’m ranked in [the IBF]. I’ve been told I’m not. I don’t know for sure because I don’t look at the rankings. But I’m actually told I’m not ranked in the IBF. I don’t know for sure, which is crazy. I need to be ranked everywhere. But it is what it is, so right now [Spence] is not gonna be my next fight. Like I said, it’s Keith Thurman and, if we have to, we’ll look somewhere else.” from BS

It seems like Spence would have a hard time to get a good name.

armageto wrote: ↑21 Jan 2018, 13:33 Vargas is probably fighting Thurman next, so I'd count him out. Porter has his heart set on Thurman and looks like he'd wait for him, so I'd count him out too. Crawford/Horn are fighting each other. I can't and don't want to see Pacman take it. Garcia isn't taking it.

If Spence is trying to fight two more times this year, a lot of the big names are tied up or reluctant to fight him. I'm looking at Matthysse, Skeete, Ocampo/Ponomarev winner (If that fight is still happening), and Granados. Not my preferred options, but Spence has to stay busy and can only fight who might be willing.

Occampo, Ponomarev and Alexander/Ortiz winner are probably Spence's real options atm.

jamamb wrote: ↑21 Jan 2018, 15:15 might escape with his life vs thurman, but not so lucky vs spence? are you talking about vargas actually dying in the ring

Oh please.

We're talking figure of speech here. Why is everyone so anxious to bend over backward and be PC when intent is obvious?

I'd be ok with it once assuming Thurman is gonna fight a softer guy in his first fight back, but preferably after that I'd be hoping for Spence vs Thurman.

No one wants to see these fights if there’s a choice. I’d want Spence vs a boxer either Crawford or Thurman. Or a puncher like Danny Garcia.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑21 Jan 2018, 17:37 I'd be ok with it once assuming Thurman is gonna fight a softer guy in his first fight back, but preferably after that I'd be hoping for Spence vs Thurman.

It'll happen but I think Spence may have to eventually move up to finally corral Thurman.

I have a feeling that Thurman will spend 2018 taking care of that "other business" that he alludes to. Probably a Vargas fight and then a rematch with Porter.

Next year Thurman will say that he'd love to fight Spence but unfortunately he can no longer make 147. Up to super welter Thurman goes and Spence is holding the bag, still looking for that signature victory.

But Spence can play that game too and up to 154 he'll go, calling out Thurman.

Thurman can dodge and move well, but he can't hide forever.

The fight will be made. It won't be as anticipated as Leonard-Hearns---boxing isn't the same anymore---but everyone will finally get what they want.

Well, everyone but Keith Thurman.

Since #1 and #2 seem to strangely be vacant for the IBF Welterweight mandatories, put Porter in both spots, and watch him squirm. We will probably hear again how he is going the WBC route, and tell how he already had the IBF title, and is focusing only on Thurman, and if not Thurman, Danny Garcia.

SenorPipino wrote: ↑21 Jan 2018, 17:11

jamamb wrote: ↑21 Jan 2018, 15:15 might escape with his life vs thurman, but not so lucky vs spence? are you talking about vargas actually dying in the ring

Oh please.

We're talking figure of speech here. Why is everyone so anxious to bend over backward and be PC when intent is obvious?

you silly silly man

no ones being pc or moaning about you wrote, i just didnt know if you seriously thought vargas would take that kind of beating. saying someone may not escape with there life in a sport where many ppl have actually lost their lives (killed) is hardly the clearest figure of speech

Spence could wait till Terence Crawford has his fight with Jeff Horn in April .

Spence v Crawford could be done for Summer or Autumn if Crawford wins.