Errol Spence Jr Bio
Errol Spence Jr. is an American professional boxer born on March 3, 1990, in Long Island, New York. He is a former unified welterweight world champion, having held the WBA (Super), WBC, and IBF titles between 2017 and 2023. Known by the nickname “The Truth,” Spence is recognized for his power, technical skill, and significant accomplishments in the welterweight division.
Early Life and Background
Spence was born in Long Island, New York, and is of Jamaican descent through his father and African-American descent through his mother. He began boxing at the age of 15 and spent most of his life residing in Dallas, Texas. His early exposure to boxing led him to become a standout amateur, winning three consecutive United States national amateur welterweight championships from 2009 to 2011.
Path to Boxing
As an amateur, Spence represented the United States at the 2012 Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals in the welterweight division. He ended his amateur career with a record of 135 wins and 12 losses. Turning professional in 2012, Spence quickly rose through the ranks, earning ESPN’s Prospect of the Year award in 2015. His early professional career was marked by a series of knockout victories that established him as a rising star in boxing.
Errol Spence Jr Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Spence made his professional debut on November 9, 2012, with a knockout win over Jonathan Garcia. He fought eight times in 2013, winning all bouts with six by knockout. His Showtime debut came in June 2014, where he won a unanimous decision against Ronald Cruz. By the end of 2014, Spence had established himself as a formidable welterweight contender with a perfect record.
IBF Welterweight Champion Breakthrough (2015–2017)
In 2015, Spence defeated Samuel Vargas and Phil Lo Greco by technical knockout, solidifying his position as a top contender. He earned the IBF mandatory challenger spot after defeating Alejandro Barrera. On May 27, 2017, Spence captured the IBF welterweight title by defeating Kell Brook in Sheffield, England. The fight ended in the 11th round with Spence winning by technical knockout, marking his arrival as a world champion.
Unified Welterweight Champion Era (2018–2023)
Spence successfully defended his IBF title multiple times, including against Lamont Peterson in January 2018 and Carlos Ocampo in June 2018. In March 2019, he dominated Mikey Garcia to retain his title. Later that year, Spence unified the welterweight division by defeating Shawn Porter in a split decision. In December 2020, he defended his titles against Danny Garcia. Although scheduled to fight Manny Pacquiao in 2021, Spence withdrew due to a retinal injury. He later defeated Yordenis Ugás in April 2022 to retain his titles. In July 2023, Spence faced Terence Crawford for the undisputed welterweight championship but lost by technical knockout in the ninth round.
Driving Style and Strengths
Spence is a southpaw known for his powerful left hand, precise jab, and ability to control distance. His strength lies in his combination punching and body attack, which wears down opponents over rounds. He is also noted for his composure under pressure and tactical approach in the ring.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include winning the IBF welterweight title in 2017, unifying the WBA (Super), WBC, and IBF titles, and his 2015 ESPN Prospect of the Year award. His victory over Shawn Porter was a significant unification bout, and his fight against Terence Crawford was a high-profile event marking the first undisputed welterweight title fight in years.
Errol Spence Jr Career Wins
Errol Spence Jr. has amassed a professional record of 28 wins and 1 loss, with 22 wins by knockout. His career highlights include multiple title defenses and unification bouts in the welterweight division.
Professional Boxing Highlights
Spence’s first professional win came in 2012 by knockout. He secured his first world title in 2017 by defeating Kell Brook. His most recent notable win was against Yordenis Ugás in 2022 by technical knockout. Throughout his career, Spence has demonstrated dominance in the welterweight division with consistent performances in championship bouts.
Other Wins & Performances
As an amateur, Spence won three consecutive United States national welterweight championships and competed at the 2012 Olympics. His early professional career featured a string of knockout victories that established his reputation.
Errol Spence Jr Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Spence is of Jamaican and African-American descent. There is no public information about his parents or extended family involvement in boxing.
Personal Life
Errol Spence Jr. is a father to two daughters and a son. He resides in Dallas, Texas. Details about his marital status or spouse are not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Errol Spence Jr. is expected to continue his boxing career, potentially engaging in high-profile bouts as he seeks to rebound from his 2023 loss. Negotiations for fights in the super welterweight division have been reported, including talks with champions like Sebastian Fundora and Jermell Charlo. His future matchups and training decisions will be closely watched as he aims to regain championship status and maintain his position among boxing’s elite welterweights.