Errol Spence Jr’s retirement has seen him receive appreciation as one of the best welterweight champions in recent years, but when asked to name the best four welterweights of all time, Spence picked former rulers who did what he couldn’t manage.
Spence switched to the pro game after losing out in the quarter-finals at the London 2012 Olympic Games, but he found success when he next boxed in the United Kingdom, capturing Kell Brook’s IBF welterweight world title on away soil in Sheffield back in 2017.
‘The Truth’ went on to win a further six title bouts, including unifications with WBC champion Shawn Porter and WBA (Super) champion Yordenis Ugas, before heading into the biggest fight of his career – a challenge for the undisputed 147lb title against Terence Crawford.
The Texas-based southpaw went on to lose that fight in devastating fashion, but speaking to Dan Canobbio before the bout back in 2023, Spence picked out his ‘Mount Rushmore’ of welterweight greats – opting for four men that had won world titles in at least three weight divisions.
“I’m going to say Ray Leonard because of the fights that he had with Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran, they was crazy.
“So, Ray Leonard, Floyd [Mayweather], Duran was a great lightweight, but at 147 I wouldn’t really put him in there, even though he had some great fights at 147.
“[Manny] Pacquiao is suspect. Tito [Felix Trinidad] and you can put De La Hoya in there.”
It is a strong list for a division that has hosted some of boxing’s greatest, from Sugar Ray Leonard’s defining victories over Thomas Hearns and Roberto Durán to Félix Trinidad’s long title reign and unification win over Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya himself became one of the sport’s biggest stars across six divisions, while Floyd Mayweather later ruled at 147lbs during the closing stages of his unbeaten 50-fight career.
Whether or not Crawford’s performance in their fight convinced Spence that he may round out the best of all time at number five is anybody’s guess.
Spence returned to action after a three-year hiatus in a middleweight scrap with Tim Tsyzu on Saturday in Australia, but suffered a second career defeat and announced his retirement in his post-fight interview.
