Rising star and IBF Welterweight champion, Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. (24-0, 21 KOs) opened up the doors of The Star in Frisco, Texas to provide his hometown fans with the second defense of his title against undefeated Mexican fighter, Carlos Ocampo (22-1, 13 KOs).
Earlier in the week, Spence Jr. promised to put on a show and that fans would see another “Man Down” and he delivered on that promise.
What looked to be a feel out round for both fighters, progressed into both men throwing some hard shots to the body. As both fighters began to close out the opening round and the 10-second clap from ringside was heard, Spence Jr. would land a thudding body shot on Ocampo that floored the fighter immediately.
Ocampo looked to try and rise to his feet but the damage was done and referee Laurence Cole counted to 10 and Spence Jr. received the first round knockout.
The sold out crowd of 12,604 fans cheered in joy as their hometown hero rejoiced in the center of the ring.
“I was a little disappointed,” said Spence Jr. after the fight. “I wanted to give the crowd their money’s worth. I wanted him to sustain a bit and give him some punishment, but the body shot got him and I dropped him.”
With the impressive knockout, Spence Jr. inches closer to the big name fights that he’s salivated for.
“I want to fight the best. Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter are fighting each other [for the WBC title] and I definitely want to make that a unifying fight,” said Spence Jr. “We both have the same management, we both fight on Showtime. Why not make that happen? I definitely want that fight whenever it’s available.”
Not only did Spence Jr. impress the masses in his homecoming, but he also put a smile on Dallas Cowboy’s owner, Jerry Jones.
“I love his awareness,” said Jones. “He had a plan from the beginning. He is exceptionally gifted.”
It was a short evening in the ring for Spence Jr. tonight, but the show must go on for the Dallas native. After this performance, one has to wonder, what are Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman and Terence Crawford thinking right now?
MAN DOWN. @ErrolSpenceJr makes quick work of Carlos Ocampo in round 1. #SpenceOcampo pic.twitter.com/1MgB74QB3x
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) June 17, 2018
All photos by Amanda Westcott/Showtime
