Boxing Social was in the thick of it again this weekend. Fresh from our time with Tyson Fury in training in Marbella, was an invite from the Barclays Centre Brooklyn and broadcasters Showtime to take in the first defence of the IBF welterweight champion, the excellent Errol Spence, as he took on former world super lightweight champion Lamont Peterson.
Spence is well known to British fans. He won the title in May in Sheffield with a brilliant showing of skill and variety as he broke down our own Kell Brook with body shots before breaking an eye socket on his way to an 11th round stoppage in a very impressive display.
Behind the scenes with the champ @ErrolSpenceJr before first title defense up next on @Showtime. #SpencePetersonpic.twitter.com/tnpZXlMU9z
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) January 21, 2018
The Barclays Centre is a fabulous venue for boxing with its many characters dressed in their pomp and splendour, and as we went to the VIP Billboard lounge it was 50 Cent himself that was holding court. At ringside, we were in prestigious company, alongside undefeated brothers Jermall and Jermell Charlo, Shawn Porter and Adrien Broner to name but a few of the many famous faces.
Chief support was IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jnr, who had seen his title defence relegated to a non-title fight when challenger Javier Fortuna failed to make weight. In a tough hard fought 12 rounds where both had their successes, it was Easter who came out with a close and controversial win, much to the dismay of the very vocal crowd.
The atmosphere charged again as Peterson and champion Spence took their places centre ring to the delight of a packed arena with 12 000 plus fans in attendance, and it was the 28-year-old Texan Spence who was straight on the attack behind his solid southpaw jab.
23-0, 20 KO, #AndStill IBF welterweight champion. 2018 gonna be our year. Time to unify these 147 pound belts. They all know where to find me. Appreciate all the love & support !! #MANDOWN#StrapSeasonpic.twitter.com/FiMsVmlEWd
— Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) January 21, 2018
It was business as usual for Spence who highlighted his excellent repertoire pushing hardened veteran Peterson onto the backfoot with a solid right jab followed by a straight left to the body looking to break through the high guard to make way for short hurtful uppercuts.
Peterson 33, looked to retaliate with long right counters, and at times did get through the defence of Spence who just smiled as he continued his very measured, but nonetheless relentless attack. What he does so well is keeping a relaxed style even when going through the gears in very impressive fashion.
By the 6th round, Spence was well on top with Peterson now marking up badly in what was becoming a one-sided beating. There were no arguments at the start of the eighth when trainer Barry Hunter sympathetically pulled his man out of the fight taking champion Spence’s undefeated run to 23 wins and setting up some potentially mega matchups.
Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia are all names being thrown about, but the match I want to see is against Terence Crawford the undefeated super lightweight king.
An excellent night of boxing showcasing a terrific talent. Thank you to the Barclays center Brooklyn can’t wait to come back.
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