Andre Ward thinks Errol Spence Jr belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Spence retired in the ring in Sydney on July 26 after a unanimous decision loss to Tim Tszyu, closing a 13-year career at 28-2 with 22 knockouts. Ward, inducted in 2021, was asked by Premier Boxing Champions whether The Truth had done enough.
I believe he should be a Hall of Famer. He had a great career. He’s one of the last of a dying breed that will get down with anybody.
The résumé backs him up. Spence took the IBF welterweight title off Kell Brook in Sheffield in 2017, defended against Mikey Garcia and Lamont Peterson, then unified by outpointing Shawn Porter for the WBC and stopping Yordenis Ugas for the WBA.
That set up the undisputed fight with Terence Crawford in July 2023. Crawford controlled it and stopped him in the ninth for Spence’s first defeat.
Three years of inactivity followed. Spence came back against Tszyu at 160 pounds, two divisions above where he built his name, and lost every card by wide margins.
He walked away immediately after, on his own terms.
I’ve got my faculties intact. My money is good at working for itself. Everything’s good, man. I’ve got a beautiful family, and I thank God I’m gracious to leave this sport with my faculties intact and my family still by my side.
Spence is not eligible for induction until three years after retirement. Whether the rest of the sport shares Ward’s view will not be tested until then.
