Back in September, we named Errol Spence Jr. at no.1 in our six boxers who could fill Floyd Mayweather's shoes as boxing's next pound-for-pound kingpin.
Last night, 'The Truth' came good on his nickname.
Facing Chris Algieri in the New Yorker's back yard, Spence did what Manny Pacquiao couldn't do despite six knockdowns in 2014 and flattened the former kickboxing world champion, becoming the first fighter to stop the teak-tough Algieri in his professional career.
And boy did he stop him.
Errol Spence Jr with the video game KO pic.twitter.com/EFhC8KJVDX
— BlackSportsOnline (@BSO) April 17, 2016
Here's @ErrolSpenceJr vicious KO over Chris Algieri. Time for the big leagues for @ErrolSpenceJr pic.twitter.com/Uwshvzx3JR
— Bible of Boxing (@ringmagazine) April 17, 2016
The 26-year-old Texan was the one stand-out Olympian on the 2012 US team, but four years on he's making waves in the pro ranks - with victory over Algieri improving his record to 20-0 (16KOs).
Algieri, for what it's worth, is no mug; six years Spence's senior, most fans and scribes alike thought he'd provide a stellar test for Spence having ran Amir Khan close last year. Not many expected him to be cannon fodder when he climbed into the ring at the Barclays Center.
His young conqueror is now the mandatory challenger for Kell Brook's IBF World welterweight title, and speaking after the fight, he was quick to let the undefeated Sheffield man - along with Danny Garcia - know he's knocking on the door.
In case you needed any more reasons to like Spence, he gave Floyd Mayweather a black eye in sparring before 'Money' fought Robert Guerrero in 2013. Furthermore, a year later, he reportedly beatup boxing's chief asshole Adrien Broner so badly in the same gym that a stunned 'Problem' had to be held up by his trainers as he exited the ring. Incidentally, Broner - then undefeated and considered the heir to Mayweather's throne - has since lost two fights.
That doesn't mean the throwback welterweight is getting ahead of himself, though.
My wall of inspiration. Keeps me working and pushing for my goals pic.twitter.com/igCy0G4Vft
— Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) March 4, 2015
You might as well remember the name. We're on the precipice of the Errol Spence era.
Oh my Lord! What a hook and what a finish for @ErrolSpenceJr. Extremely impressive
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) April 17, 2016
Lot of good 140 & 147 lbs fighters, but 2 of them seem special: @budcrawford402 and @ErrolSpenceJr #boxing
— Max Kellerman (@maxkellerman) April 17, 2016
That @ErrolSpenceJr has out of his weight class power. Who next?
— Michael Woods (@Woodsy1069) April 17, 2016
WOW!!! What a statement by @ErrolSpenceJr there.
Been saying for a while this kid is the future star of #boxing & he just showed why. 👊🏽👌🏽— Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) April 17, 2016
.@ErrolSpenceJr says he wants the @SpecialKBrook fight next and isn't scared to go to England to do it. #PBConNBC
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) April 17, 2016
