Errol Spence Jr. (23-0, 20 KOs) will defend his IBF Welterweight belt for the second time this year, this time against Carlos Ocampo (22-0, 13 KOs) Saturday at the Ford Center, in Frisco, Texas.
The native of nearby Dallas, Texas, chose to defend his title close to home to take on the newcomer Ocampo. Saturday’s fight will not only mark the first bout for the Mexican native outside of his home country, but it is his first opportunity to fight for the title.
Spence Jr. is coming off his January title defence, a seventh-round TKO victory over Lamont Peterson in Brooklyn, New York, after initially claiming the IBF Welterweight belt in a win over Kell Brook in Sheffield, England, back in August 2017.
Spence Jr., 28, is said to have a clear advantage in this bout, having faced and prevailed against some of the top fighters in the Welterweight division and is currently . Ocampo, though is only 22 and is currently sitting in third in the IBF Welterweight rankings, has never faced anyone else in the Top 15 rankings.
Ocampo still has a chance as the underdog to upset Spence Jr. in this bout. There’s a ton of pressure for the Dallas native trying to perform in front of friends and family. How will he take on that challenge? Will he relish in it or will he buckle under the pressure?
As a relative unknown, Ocampo could use his anonymity as an advantage. Some tape was available for Spence Jr. to study in preparation for this match, but Ocampo hasn’t fought outside of his home country of Mexico, nor on American television before.
What will tip the scale for either fighter in this bout? Age vs. wisdom? Spence Jr. is six years older than Ocampo, so will he have some tricks that his younger opponent hasn’t developed yet? Despite similar records, 23-0 for Spence Jr. and 22-0 for Ocampo, will the quality of the competition either boxer has faced come into play when they finally step into the ring on Saturday?
Tale of the Tape:
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Errol Spence Jr. Tale of the Tape Carlos Ocampo 23-0 (20 KOs) Record 22-0 (13 KOs) 28 Age 22 5’9 ½” Height 5’10 ½” 147 lbs. Weight 147 lbs. 72” Reach N/A Southpaw Stance Orthodox Despite the slight height advantage to Ocampo, Spence Jr. has faced stiffer competition including the best fighters in the 147 lbs. weight class including Peterson and Brook. Oddsmakers have given him the significant advantage. Take Errol Spence Jr. to win the fight -5000. |