It looks like Errol "The Truth" Spence may be back in the ring as soon as April. Spence, of DeSoto, holds three-quarters of the world titles at 147 pounds. He was scheduled to fight WBO welterweight Champ Terence Crawford in the fourth quarter of 2022 before that fell through over contractual disputes on Crawford's side.
Multiple sources have reported that the champ from North Texas will take on former unified welterweight champ Keith "One Time" Thurman. The pair have been linked together for years when both held world titles in 2017. Due to injuries, accidents, and perhaps ducking on Thurman's part, the two never squared off to determine dominance in the welterweight division.
It's unclear at the moment, as to why, but the fight is expected to take place at the 154-pound limit. Opposed to 147, where Spence holds his titles. Meaning it will be a non-title fight, and the combatants will have to wear 10-oz gloves instead of 8-oz gloves which are used for up to 147 pounds. A small but important change for each man.
WBA President Gilberto Mendoza said Spence will have 60 days from the fight with Terence Crawford for undisputed supremacy. Or he must defend his 147-pound title against the winner of the postponed WBA "regular" title fight between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Eimantas Stanionis.
Spence, 32, could also decide to fight at 154 moving forward. It is unclear if the move up to 154 for the Thurman fight has anything to do with Spence being unable to make the welterweight limit. Spence is considered a massive welterweight and has flirted with the idea of moving up for a few years now.
Inactivity has stifled both fighters and Spence will have been out of the ring for a year when he squares off with Thurman. He last fought in April at AT&T Stadium and stopped Yordenis Ugas for his WBA Belt. Thurman has fought just three times in six years and ended a nearly three-year layoff when he stopped Mario Barrios of San Antonio last February. So it will be another 14 months outside the ring for "One Time".