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:
Grandy Twins Celebrate Milestone 18th Birthday, Set to Shine at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" on August 14
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Sergeev and Lubkovich set for key bouts at WINLINE. IBA.PRO 20 in Naberezhnye Chelny
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Hard-hitting SEA Games bronze medalist Mark Ashley Fajardo signs with Sanman Boxing
Tue, 28 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 JULY 2026: Tszyu vs Spence, Return of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Highlight Busy Week
By Eric Armit, Tue, 28 Jul 2026The Legacy Continues: Team Durán Prepares for Historic Panama-Mexico Showdown
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Jul 2026NM Ric Portugalera Tops Hongkong Blitz Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Jul 2026Nurghali gets second shot at Japparbergenov’s bantamweight title at International Boxing Day in Astana
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Champion's Mindset: Gustavo Trujillo Ready to Defend BKB Heavyweight Title Against Mark O'Neil at BKB 58
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Spanish boxer Eddine has been Hospitalized in Spain
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Jul 2026PH football in group C, G
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 28 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM MONDAY ROUNDUP: Tszyu Outclasses Spence in Sydney as "The Truth" Retires; Heavyweight Drama in Pattaya and Jeddah
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Mon, 27 Jul 2026'The Fight Is Signed': Hearn Declares Joshua vs. Fury Secured as Mind Games Begin with 'Landlord' Spoof
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Mon, 27 Jul 2026Chezka Centeno wins 3rd world title by ruling the Oneida WPA Women's World 8-Ball Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 27 Jul 2026CARE conducts 6.5mile open water in Davao Gulf
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 27 Jul 2026Mise, Arellano rule Davao-Japan golfest
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 27 Jul 2026