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:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The WBC Reaps Rewards in Uruguay
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 15 Jul 2026Risky proposition for Charly
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 15 Jul 2026Michael Zerafa opponent revealed as August 12 tickets go on sale for Gold Coast blockbuster
Wed, 15 Jul 2026Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Stay in the Hunt Despite Opening Setback, Shift Focus to Japan Showdown
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 15 Jul 2026BiYu Promotions' Yusniel Abrahante Ready to Shock Undefeated Luis Coria on ProBox TV This Saturday
Wed, 15 Jul 2026Showdown in Tokyo: Jerry Francisco Challenges Undefeated Yuga Ozaki for WBO Asia Pacific Title Today
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 15 Jul 2026RUIZ JR. FACES KNYBA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER, NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4 – LIVE ON TNT AND DAZN
Wed, 15 Jul 2026MATCHROOM AND DAZN LAUNCH PROJECT SERIES ON AUG 28
Wed, 15 Jul 2026Pinoy woodpushers confident in Asian Youth tilt in Shenzhen, China
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 15 Jul 2026CARE conducts WASSAR training course for Junior Lifeguards in Digos
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 15 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 13 JULY 2026: Gassiev Stops Kadiru, Retains WBA Heavy Title; Suslenko Beats Joyce; Ataev Outpoints Uzcategui
By Eric Armit, Tue, 14 Jul 2026Two World Title Fights are added to AJ-Prenga undercard at 'The Comeback' in Jeddah
Tue, 14 Jul 2026Perez willing to have a trilogy with Eman
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 13 Jul 2026MANILA ROARS BACK: THE REYES CUP AND PHILIPPINES OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP RETURN FOR 2026
Mon, 13 Jul 2026Jayr Raquinel Avenges Compatriots with First-Round Stoppage Over Kenbun Torres in Osaka
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 13 Jul 2026