SPENCE WINS OVER PORTER IN A POTENTIAL FIGHT OF THE YEAR
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 29 Sep 2019
Errol Spence, Jr. (26-0, 21 KOs) defended his IBF welterweight title for the fourth time and won the WBC 147-pound belt from Porter (30-3-1, 17 KOs). The unification match was an action-packed, give-and-take, back-and-forth fight that received a standing ovation from the fans until the final bell.
* * *
Two judges scored the fight for Spence. California?s Rey Danesco had it 116-111 and New Jersey?s Steve Weisfeld saw it the same at 116-111. The third judge New Jersey?s Larry Hazzard Jr. favored Porter 115-112.
* * *
Spence is still unbeaten professionally, and is still undefeated in five world title fights. Porter has now three losses in world title bouts, as he is now 4-3 in championship fights. ?Shawn Porter is a rough and awkward fighter,? said Spence. ?I didn?t get off what I wanted to. He?s a true champion. He made it tough.?
* * *
Spence edged Porter slightly 745 to 744 in punches thrown and 221 to 172 in punches landed. Spence landed 44% of his power punches to 25% for Porter. 113 of Spence?s 221 landed punches were to the body of Porter. Porter averaged 77 punches thrown in rounds 10 and 11 to Spence's 64.
* * *
At the opening round, Porter unleashed several blows to the body with Spence leaning against the ropes. Spence started coming forward and connected a right hook to the body of Porter. In the second round, Spence connected a straight left hand as Porter retaliated with several shots. Spence also landed a hard body punch.
* * *
Both fighters fearlessly traded punches and the referee warned Spence for hitting low punches in the third. The fourth stanza saw Porter delivering a flurry of punches that pressured Spence to put on a defensive stance. Porter delivered a left hook breaking Spence?s guard, then threw another combination with Spence covering himself.
* * *
The fifth round saw Porter receiving a straight left to the body from Spence, followed by another. Then Porter countered with a right uppercut that landed to the body of Spence. In the sixth, both fighters swapped body punches. Porter hurled more blows as Spence tried to hold. Spence in return connected a counter left hand.
* * *
Porter hit hard body shots as he attacked Spence on the ropes in the seventh. Then Porter got his act as he danced around the ring occasionally throwing a few jabs that found their way on Spence?s face. In the eighth round, Porter tossed several shots then delivered a counter right to the head. Another right hand landed on the top of Spence from Porter. Spence landed his own right hand right before the bell sounded.
* * *
The ninth round had both fighters exchanging hooks as Spence connected a hard left hook. Porter threw his own hooks and they traded body punches. In the tenth stage, Spence hit Porter with two body blows followed by a counter right hand. Porter threw back his own punches as Spence countered with his own.
* * *
Spence heated up his attack and landed a right hook in the eleventh. He followed this with stinging jabs. Then Spence hit Porter with a booming left hook that dropped him. Porter got up and said "Let?s Go!" In the final round, Spence landed a left hand but Porter delivered back a heavy right hand. Both fighters exchanged blows but Spence unleashed two hard punches as Porter tried to strike back. Both fighters went toe-to-toe which excited the fans to stand on their feet cheering till the end.
* * *
Several experts saw it as a fight-of-the-year candidate which excited the 16,072 fans at the Staples Center. ?He?s a strong kid,? Porter said. ?We both came in to do the job. I think I had a little more than what he expected, but he handled it. Congratulations to him and his team. We?re proud of what we did.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 16 Nov 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 16 Nov 2025NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 16 Nov 2025Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2: Will Eubank Step on the Gas Pedal Earlier?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 15 Nov 2025Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 15 Nov 2025Tickets ON SALE NOW for Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Sat, 15 Nov 2025Russ Westbrook set record setting 10,000 assists
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 15 Nov 2025GM Joey Antonio draws Becker to maintain second place in Spain chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 15 Nov 20254th Gov. Ruel Pacquiao Motocross Competition
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 15 Nov 2025Weigh-In Results: Rafael Espinoza vs. Arnold Khegai
Sat, 15 Nov 2025Soledad fights Thai for WBC Asia Continental Welter title on Nov. 29
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 15 Nov 2025Former Champ Joseph Parker fails drug test on WBO championship fight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 15 Nov 2025R&B PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO HARD ROCK LIVE AT ETESS ARENA FOR FIGHT NIGHT 4 ON NOVEMBER 22, 2025
Sat, 15 Nov 2025WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM ALL STAR BOXING SHOW IN MANAGUA
Sat, 15 Nov 2025Tapales wins by a unanimous decision
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 14 Nov 2025