In the Co-Main Event this weekend on Premier Boxing Champions, Errol “The Truth” Spence, Jr. (18-0, 15 KO’s ) from DeSoto,Texas, took on Chris Van Heerden (23-2-1, 12KO’s) from South Africa in Toronto, Canada, in what was supposed to be a competitive match. Welterweight Spence has been showcased several times on Premier Boxing and on each occasion he has come out on top and things didn’t change. Van Heerden had captured the vacant IBF International Welterweight belt in January of this year, and he had won his last fight in May. But despite his record and his accomplishments, he seemed to be on a lower level against former Olympian, Spence.
From the outset it was clear that Van Heerden could not match the speed of the southpaw Spence who used his jab to set up his straight right hand. Spence also use his jab to set up his strong combinations and punishing punches to the body of Van Heerden. Because of Spence’ jabs, Van Heerden’s right eye began to swell early in the first round as he attempted to block all the punches aimed at his head.
Van Heerden who also was a southpaw, did land some punches on occasion, but nothing compared to the punches he was receiving. And when he did get hit, he clowned around acting like they didn’t hurt, but in the end, his face said otherwise.
Spence, who is managed by Al Haymon, is one of the busiest fighters in the welterweight division, having fought eight times in 2013, five times in 2014, and now, three times in 2015. He also has four TKO’s in his last four fights, and Van Heerden was the latest victim.
After constant pressure by Spence, Van Heerden got caught with a left hand to the head after being punished on the ropes and he went down on both knees to the canvas. In the eighth round, Spence picked up the pace and landed several punishing body punches and several more to the head of Van Heerden and the referee had seen enough. The fight was stopped at 2:08 of the eighth round.
After his fight against Phil Lo Greco in June of this year, Spence said he hoped to fight WBA welterweight titleholder Keith Thurman, but Thurman brushed off the chance of that happening. Despite that, Spence continues to fight his way up in the welterweight division and now he is calling out anyone in the top ten. Hopefully a top ten match will happen before the end of this year and then a big fight against Thurman.
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