Errol Spence Jnr edges Shawn Porter by split decision in fight of the year contender
- Spence unified WBC and IBF welterweight titles in stacked division
- Porter makes a mockery of bookmakers’ predictions as he gives Spence Jnr toughest fight of his career
Veteran Porter made Spence work harder than ever before in his glittering career for the nod, constantly dragging him into unfamiliar territory in what was immediately dubbed a fight of the year contender.
The Staples Center was treated to a fight fought at a furious pace throughout, and as the battle ebbed and flowed, the two were neck-and-neck on many pundits’ scorecards throughout the bout.
Both men were happy to let their hands go as they pursued each other into every corner of the ring and turned the bout into a dog fight.
Porter’s unorthodox, pugnacious style baited Spence into many wild exchanges, starting with a thrilling stretch during the third and fourth rounds.
The defining moment came in the 11th round when Spence (26-0) opened up a gap in the scoring when he floored Porter with a short left hook. Porter was visibly frustrated with himself as he immediately bounded back to his feet and implored Spence to slug it out with him for the remainder of the round.