Errol Spence Jr. evidently is a glutton for punishment.
The former 147-pound beltholder was dominated and ultimately knocked out by Terence Crawford in a battle for the undisputed championship on July 29 in Las Vegas, Spence’s first loss and a blow to his reputation.
Now he wants to go there again. Crawford’s trainer, Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, told Pro Boxing Fans that Spence has exercised the rematch clause in their original contract.
McIntyre said no specific date for the second fight has been discussed. He hopes it will happen before the end of the year.
“[Crawford] just texted me yesterday and said that Spence has activated his rematch. That’s confirmed,” McIntrye said.
The rematch almost certainly would take place at a 154 pounds, as Spence has indicated he plans to move up in weight.
Their first fight was thought to be a 50-50 matchup but quickly turned into a rout.
Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) dominated Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) beginning in the second round, when he put Spence down for the first of three times. He also dropped Spence twice in Round 7, when it became clear that Spence had little chance to win.
Crawford was simply too quick, too clever and too good for his fellow pound-for-pounder, as if he was fighting a journeyman.
The ending was brutal. Crawford stung Spence about midway through Round 9 and then unloaded as vicious an assault as you’ll ever see in the ring. Spence somehow remained on his feet but he took terrible punishment, enough to convince referee Harvey Dock to end the slaughter.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:32 of the ninth.
Thus, Crawford became the first man to win the undisputed welterweight championship and capture all four major titles in a second division.
