Former unified world welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr is edging closer to making his long-awaited return to boxing.
The 35-year-old from Long Island has been out of action since he suffered the first defeat of his professional career to Terence Crawford back in July 2023.
Spence was outclassed by ‘Bud’ Crawford in their monumental showdown for the undisputed welterweight championship before he was stopped in the ninth round at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
‘The Truth’ was in line to make his return to the ring at the beginning of the year but a planned showdown with reigning WBC super-welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora was eventually cancelled.
One man in particular who has expressed an interest in facing the 35-year-old in the future is unbeaten super-welterweight star Vergil Ortiz Jr, who currently holds the WBC interim world title at 154lbs.
Ortiz made his return to action on November 8 when he stopped Erickson Lubin in the second round of their bout in Fort Worth to make the second successful defence of his WBC interim title.
Speaking to the media recently, Ortiz admitted that a potential match-up with Spence would be a ‘dream fight’ for him as he claims he would like to lock horns with his countryman at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“It doesn’t matter who’s next. If I had to pick – I’ma be honest, it would be [Errol] Spence, because that’s my dream fight. I just think that’s my dream fight. I don’t care what anyone says about it. But anyone can get it, respectfully. I just want to fight the best. I’m just a competitive guy.”
Ortiz’s manager Rick Mirigian followed up on this via Instagram.
“I think Ortiz vs. Spence at Cowboy Stadium (biggest all-Texas matchup in history) and [Jermell] Charlo vs. Boots as co-main, and the winners fight each other just might be [fire emoji.] Makes sense, Charlo and Boots both turned Ortiz down.”
While a fight between Ortiz and Spence would certainly interest boxing fans, it seems Ortiz could be set for a clash against Jaron Ennis next instead.
