Errol Spence

Errol Spence Stops Algieri, Wants Kell Brook Next

Few gave Chris Algieri a chance against Errol Spence Jr., and looking at the results of the fight, it’s rather easy to see why.

Spence vs. Algieri Fight Night - Marilyn Paulino3

Few gave Chris Algieri a chance against Errol Spence Jr., and looking at the results of the fight, it’s rather easy to see why.

Spence was considered untested up until this point, but now there should be no doubts that he is indeed “The Truth.” From the start of the fight, Spence was relentless to the body, punishing Algieri’s midsection and not letting Algieri respond with any significant shots of his own.

Spence proved the truth of the old adage, “Kill the body and the head will die,” with impeccable body work in the early rounds that ultimately led to a shot on Algieri’s chin that put him on the floor.

Algieri came out in the fifth hoping to be the aggressor, but was caught by multiple shots to the head and was knocked down twice in succession when referee Benji Estevez called a halt to the bout.

It was clear from the start that Algieri wanted to rely on a game plan that could never work against someone like Spence. Spence’s dynamic use of body work broke Algieri down, and broke him down quickly.

Spence vs. Algieri Fight Night - Marilyn Paulino2

Spence’s knockout is a huge statement in a loaded welterweight division.

“I thought it was going to be a later knockout to tell you the truth,” said Spence. “But Algieri is a tough fighter and I thank him for this opportunity.”

Spence wasn’t the only person pleased with the outcome. Lou Dibella noted his happiness with the outcome in the post-fight press conference.

“What this guy did tonight was scary,” said Dibella. “Those body shots? I haven’t seen body punches like that since Sugar Ray Leonard was at 147.”

When it comes to the future, Spence isn’t looking all that far in advance to get his shot at a title.

“I think I’m the No. 1 contender for Kell Brook,” Spence said after the fight. “Kell Brook knows what time it is. We gotta get in the ring and fight…If I have to go to England it is what it is.”

Spence said that he’d be happy if the loaded Welterweight division were to turn into a round robin tournament with Spence and Brook jockeying for position to face the winner of the upcoming Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter bout.

“A lot of people are about to pay $79.99 to see a guy who almost lost to Chris Algieri fight Canelo Alvarez. You know how much of a chance I give Amir Khan against Spence?” DiBella asked reporters, “Zero.”

Algieri was unable to attend the press conference. Whether it was as a result of medical reasons or personal conviction is unclear.

Dibella closed the night happy with the results of the card. “That was a hell of a boxing show,” he said grinning.

 

All photos by Marilyn Paulino

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