Since 2017, Errol Spence Jr. has held a firm grip on boxing’s welterweight division. “The Truth” has overcome all challengers and has been praised as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
Spence, the IBF, WBC, and WBO welterweight champion, puts his titles on the line against WBO counterpart Terence Crawford in a clash for undisputed honors on July 29 in Las Vegas. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, Showtime PPV.
Born on Long Island, the 33-year-old Spence (28-0) won numerous amateur competitions, compiling a 135-12 record. Turning pro in 2013, the hard-punching lefty defeated Kell Brook in 2017 for the IBF crown. From there, he has gone on a six-fight championship win streak against some of the best in the sport.
However, in 2019, a high-speed card accident could have ended the life of one of the most talented fighters of this generation.
Errol Spence Jr. car accident
In 2019, Spence ended his September on a high note, beating Shawn Porter via split decision to retain the IBF welterweight title while winning the WBC belt. It was a true Fight of the Year contender.
However, celebrations were shortlived when tragedy almost struck a few weeks later.
On October 10, 2019, Spence was involved in a horrific solo car accident when his Ferrari flipped multiple times following a night out at a club. Per Dallas police, Spence was "traveling at a high rate of speed" and was ejected from the vehicle because he wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
Suffering facial lacerations, Spence landed in the intensive care unit but didn't have any broken bones.
Here is a slowed down video of the Errol Spence Jr crash that shows his Ferrari flipping multiple times. Amazing to hear he survived with broken teeth and injuries he is expected to recover from pic.twitter.com/y7dKo40N9u
— J.D. Miles (@jdmiles11) October 10, 2019
Spence was charged with a class-B DWI misdemeanor, received a brief probation, and had to pay court costs reaching $3,400. After a long recovery, Spence returned to the ring in December 2020 and beat Danny Garcia via unanimous decision. He also stopped Yordenis Ugas to win the WBA belt.
MORE: Everything you need to know about Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford
Spence took a lot from the experience. Having a new perspective on life, the incident proved to him that he could overcome adversity. He compared it to fighting someone in a ring, as surviving was the ultimate confidence booster.
“Really made me feel like nobody can stop me,” said Spence on The Pivot Podcast via Boxing Scene. “If I can be driving however fast they said I was driving and I land on solid concrete getting thrown in the air, who can hurt me? A man definitely can’t break me.”
Errol Spence Jr. legal history
Spence told Kate Abdo that he got into another accident three months after that crash. His G-Wagon was hit from behind by another car.
"I actually got into another accident three months after my [2019 car crash]. Somebody hit me from behind. My insurance company kicked me out," Spence said via Sportskeeda. "They were like, 'He messed up a Ferrari, now a G-Wagon.' $600,000 - they paid me outright for both cars."
MORE: Fightin' Words: Predicting the winner of Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford
The champ was also involved in another accident in December 2022. Spence's car was damaged after a teenager ran a red light and crashed into him. The 14-year-old had taken the car from his parents, and luckily both he and Spence walked away with no major injuries. However, Spence did complain about his leg hurting on Instagram Live.
