Errol Spence Jr promised following the first defence of his IBF world welterweight title, that he would be announcing his next fight very shortly.
He has now been ordered to defend that title against unknown quantity, Carlos Ocampo. He boasts a 22-0 record with 13 knockouts but is yet to step in with elite level opposition.
He is currently ranked no. 3 in the IBF rankings but given the first two spots in their rankings are currently vacant.
That has allowed Ocampo to snap up a title shot, even if it is perceived he is undeserving and is slowing down the welterweight division’s train to securing clarity by unveiling an undisputed world welterweight champion.
The IBF have allowed the respective parties involved, Tom Brown and Zanfer Promotions who represent Ocampo have been given until the 22nd of February to come to an agreement with Errol Spence and his team.
If an agreement is not reached by that date the IBF will order purse bids.
Being instilled as a mandatory contender is one thing. But it remains to be seen whether Ocampo will actually fancy a world title fight with Spence.
‘The Truth’ has been seen as somewhat of a boogeyman of late in the welterweight division. His all-action and relentless pressuring style seem to have put off many of the division’s major names from stepping in the squared circle with him.
Even the champions in the division seem unwilling to unify with him. Errol Spence has previously accused current and former welterweight champions, Keith Thurman, Kell Brook and Miguel Cotto of essentially ducking him.
Spence’s last fight this past weekend was his first title defence.
That was an optional defence and Spence opted to face the best opposition available. That was his close friend and former 2-weight world champion, Lamont Peterson.
That fight was televised on Showtime in The USA.
Lastly, Errol Spence shared on social media immediately following that triumph against Peterson that he planned to be out next in the summertime and wanted his next fight to take place in his hometown of Dallas.
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