In an outcome that had very few surprises except maybe the quick ending, Errol ‘The Truth’ Spence Jr. (24-0, 21 KOs) scored a first round knockout last night over previously unbeaten mandatory challenger Carlos Ocampo (22-1, 13 KOs) at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco.
It was Spence’s second defense of the IBF world title he won last May from Kell Brook and his first hometown fight as a world champion.
Spence barely broke a sweat in knocking out his overwhelmingly overmatched mandatory challenger in front of his hometown. He dropped and immobilized Ocampo for the full 10 count with two wicked body shots in the final seconds of the round.
Both fighters were cautious earlier on but Spence set the pace by trying to land the lead right jab. They traded hard body shots moments later with neither man giving up much ground. Spence then unleashed a hard left that connected with Ocampo’s chin.
Spence kept up the assault with a series of left hands to the body to include one that appeared to land low. It didn’t matter though because seconds later, Spence delivered the brutal left-right combination that ended the contest.
Ocampo enjoyed an unusually high IBF ranking despite his low level opposition and ill preparation for an opponent of Spence’s caliber. This fight smelled like a mismatch from the very beginning and that prognosis turned out to be painfully true.
Spence expressed disappointment that the bout was not competitive in the post-fight interview.
“It’s a little bit satisfying, Spence said. I’m a little satisfied, you know, but I wanted to give the crowd their money’ worth. They come out here to support me. You know it’s a big event and we’ll definitely be back. Maybe after I unify, unify some titles, we’ll come back here again and make this an annual thing, where I’m fighting here.”
A 2012 Olympian, Spence Jr. has now knocked out 11 straight opponents to help bolster his claim as one of the best in the division.
Spence received a guaranteed $1.2 million, the same figure he earned in his last fight vs. Lamont Peterson in January. Ocampo’s purse was $75,000.
That accomplishment places him in good stead among the other top four ranked welterweights – Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter and newcomer Terence Crawford, all vying for the coveted top spot in the deep welterweight division.
The Texan has emerged as one of the most exciting fighters in the sport today with a combination of sublime skills, remarkable technique and a fan-friendly style.
His popularity appears to be growing as well evidenced by the sellout crowd of 12,604 on hand to cheer on their hometown hero against an anonymous opponent.
The performance although impressive, did not reveal much else about the 28-year-old southpaw that we did not already know. Spence did as expected in dismantling a very green prospect in Ocampo, who had never fought outside of his native Mexico.
Spence figures to encounter greater resistance as he continues his destructive march toward superstardom toward a possible unification fight against fellow American and pound-for–pound fighter Crawford. The biggest question mark is whether Al Haymon, who manages Spence, and Bob Arum, who promotes Crawford, can make this dream fight a reality.
Both fighters have their sights set on becoming the undisputed welterweight champion of the world and recognise that they need each other to accomplish that end.
Boxing has given us some excellent fights for the first part of 2018. It would be criminal to end the year without seeing this super fight take place.
