The extremely sensible decision to pull his man out of the fight at the start of the eighth round by Barry Hunter, saved Lamont Peterson a real battering.
Such was Errol Spence Jr’s dominance Hunter knew he would only prolong the agony for Peterson who had lost every round and was in danger of being seriously hurt.
What had been billed as a close fight was anything but as Spence Jr showed his class in a display that has the whole division looking on in awe.
In hindsight it now makes Kell Brook’s performance in his previous fight not seem so surprising.
Unbeaten in 23 fights and still only 27, Spence Jr could go on to be one of the all-time greats fight fans and promoters alike are now wondering where he goes from here.
Obviously it was Keith Thurman’s name that was being touted about post-fight on Saturday evening but it seems unlikely the two will meet to decide it just yet.
More likely opponents at this stage of Spence Jr’s reign are Shawn Porter or Danny Garcia.
Former champion Porter would present Spence Jr with a new challenge and as he showed in his defeat to Thurman in June 2016, he can pressurise fighters with his strength and work rate which may give Spence Jr something new to think about.
Garcia is in the ring with Brandon Rios next month so the result of that could decide if Spence Jr is on the cards. Garcia will be looking to avenge his only defeat (to Thurman in March last year) and may see a summer match-up with Spence Jr as the chance to get his career back on track.
But Spence Jr was bullish in his post-fight press conference.
‘I’m not gonna sit around and wait for him. The whole goal this year is to stay active and fight quality opponents. Right now, I’m thinking of a homecoming. I’m thinking of going home and fighting in Dallas my next fight,’ he said.
Spence Jr really made his mark on Saturday night and it seems that a decider with Thurman may be inevitable later this year or in early 2019. He is in that wonderful position that few boxers get to experience where he really does have the world at his feet.
For Peterson, coming back from such a comprehensive defeat may be impossible. At 33 and having suffered his fourth defeat in 40 fights he may well be considering hanging up his gloves after an excellent career.
