Welterweight world champions collide when IBF Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. clashes with WBC Champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter in a massive 147-pound title unification match headlining a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View on Saturday, September 28 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Errol Spence vs. Shawn Porter and let us know who you think will win.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Errol Spence vs. Shawn Porter
Hans Themistode, Staff Writer
I’m tired of people counting Shawn Porter out. He’s tough, rugged and a great fighter in his own right, but he isn’t beating Errol Spence.
It’s going to be competitive and Spence won’t just walk right through him but expect Porter to lose a somewhat close, but clear unanimous decision.
Prediction: Spence
Paul R. Jones, Staff Writer
In what promises to be an intriguing match-up, IBF Champ Errol “The Truth” Spence takes on WBC Champ “Showtime” Shawn Porter in a welterweight unification bout headlining Saturday’s FOX Sports PBC PPV telecast.
The keyword for this fight will be “adjustments.” In other words, the fighter that is best able to adapt to his opponent early in the fight will come out victorious. In my view, Spence has a higher ceiling than Porter when it comes to making adjustments and, therefore, I expect him to edge Porter in a close fight. Look for Porter to come out early with intelligent pressure, aiming to steal rounds with calculated flurries towards the final 10-15 seconds of each round.
After 2-3 rounds, Porter may even be up on the cards. However, around round 4, I expect Spence to adjust and begin to throw off Porter’s timing, rhythm, and aggression with a persistent jab and effective body work. Down the stretch, I also expect Spence to pull away from Porter to earn a close, but clear UD win in a fight where neither fighter is downed or in danger of being stopped.
Prediction: Spence
Robert Contreras, Staff Predictions
Shawn Porter is a bull. But this is Errol Spence’s time. He proved against Mikey Garcia he was more than a buzzsaw puncher.
And Porter, for all of his grit, will be befuddled in the end by a far superior superstar. Spence UD.
Prediction: Spence
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Spence
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
I like Shawn Porter. I do. I just don’t think there’s anything he can do in the ring that Errol Spence can’t do better at this point in their respective careers. We were all shocked to see Porter cage the beast in his last fight by showing a little bit of footwork and a lot more jabbing.
Porter eked out a split-decision, which makes this strategy doubly risky against the longer, taller, more technical Spence. I think we see Porter return to form.
However, Porter’s awkwardly aggressive style still plays to Spence’s strengths; most notably his size, strength, and body punching. Spence declared he’s gunning for the KO, but he’s not going to throw caution to the wind in that pursuit against the more seasoned Porter.
I’ve only seen Porter dropped once before in the 12th round of his fight with Adrien Broner and it was a flash knockdown, which leads me to believe Spence picks Porter apart winning by a unanimous decision.
Prediction: Spence
Julio Sanchez, Photographer
Prediction: Spence
R.L. Woodson, Staff Writer
Shawn Porter’s a consummate professional who has apparently left no stone unturned regarding his preparations for potentially his last shot at a career-defining win.
Unfortunately for my fellow Ohioan, his best might not be enough to conquer Errol Spence’s best.
Prediction: Spence
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
The Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA will be loud and crackling with energy by the time IBF 147 pound champ Errol “The Truth” Spence and WBC boss Shawn “Showtime” Porter clash in a highly anticipated unification match.
This fight will be anything but a one sided drubbing as many Spence fans are frenetically professing on all available social media platforms.
Perhaps fueling this belief is that Spence has a substantial size advantage and is very big for the welterweight division. He consistently makes weight however under the current rules it is the day before and has until the opening bell to rehydrate.
Coupling Spence’s size with dazzling boxing skills, good hand speed and jolting power it is understandable that his fans are completely convinced that he is indeed The Truth.
Shawn Porter may not have size on his side but there is a familiar saying regarding “…the size of the fight in the dog.” and Porter has that in surplus.
His style is polar opposite of his rival’s smooth, measured approach. Porter is a rough, tough, swarming fighter who has the gas tank of a 747 jet.
This will be a firefight and possibly a Fight of the Year candidate when the dust settles.
At the end of the night the real winners will be the fans. The IBF/WBA unified champion will be Errol Spence by close decision.
Prediction: Spence
CJ Halloran, Staff Writer
I have always had a soft spot for underdogs, and I have also had a soft spot for Shawn Porter, but this is a tough, tough fight for him tonight.
His best chance at victory would be if the referee allowed him to use his smothering style and drag Errol Spence into a dog fight, but there is much more of a future if Spence wins, so do not be surprised to see the referee getting involved in this fight often.
With this in mind, I have to predict Spence by UD
Prediction: Spence
Alan Garcia, Staff Writer
Errol has a lot riding on him, all of the eyes of the critics are going to be on Spence come Saturday night, because his last fight, an opponent he should’ve knocked out, and didn’t;— has a lot to prove in this fight against Shawn. However, I do think, that based on styles, Shawn is tailormade for Errol Spence.
His come forward style is going to be his downfall, he leaves himself open too much and I believe Spence is just going to work him on the inside, right down the middle, and possibly knock him out towards the later episodes of the fight.
And I do say later because Shawn, he is a very competitive and strong fighter with a tenacious determination that’s hard to break. So this fight should be great, should be interesting, especially because we’re going to see what kind of fighter Spence really is.
Although he has had great opponents in front of him he doesn’t have the kind of experience, in my opinion, for me to say that it’s going to be an easy night against Shawn.
I believe Shawn will force him to shift gears and make him dig deep if he is to emerge victorious. Nonetheless, Spence, based on just ability and technique is the one with the upper hand in this fight and I do believe Spence will ultimately come out victorious—possibly by knockout in the later rounds.
Prediction: Spence
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Errol Spence–per his nickname–is the truth. Shawn Porter is good, but we’re banking on Spence being great and that’s why I think Porter–with his bum-rush style–will have an early night.
Prediction: Spence
