Former world welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr could finally make his return to the ring this year.
The 35-year-old from Long Island, New York has not fought since he was beaten by Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford in their undisputed welterweight championship showdown back in the summer of 2023.
‘The Truth’ was stopped by Crawford in the ninth round of their bout, surrendering his unified WBC, WBA and IBF world welterweight titles in the process. It was a stellar performance from ‘Bud’, who appeared to dominate the contest from the opening bell.
With Spence now set to make his return to boxing at some stage in 2025, the 35-year-old could jump straight back in with a bout against reigning WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
Speaking to World Boxing News, Barrios’ trainer Bob Santos claimed that his fighter could actually defend his crown against ‘The Truth’ next.
“I mean everything’s on the table, but they’re [promoters Premier Boxing Champions] talking about Spence. They’re talking about you know, maybe we’ll see how this fight, Stanionis and Ennis, plays out. It could be an all-out unification [for three belts]. We’ll see what happens [with Spence].”
Barrios has held the WBC welterweight title since he was elevated from ‘Interim’ champion last May, after Terence Crawford was demoted to ‘Champion In Recess’. The 29-year-old from San Antonio, Texas has made just one defence of his crown, fighting to a split decision draw against Abel Ramos in November.
Another potential opponent for Barrios is retired eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, who has not fought since he was beaten by Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.
