So long as the price is right, no fight apparently is off limits for Errol Spence Jr., even if that fight happens to involve a close friend.
On the DAZN Boxing Show, Spence, the IBF and WBC welterweight titleholder from Desoto, Texas, was asked if he would have any interest in fighting his fellow Texan and close training stablemate Jermall Charlo, the WBC, WBA, and IBF 154-pound titlist.
His answer may be surprising to some.
“I think so,” Spence responded, adding, “If it makes sense money-wise.”
Neither fighter has really endorsed the idea of fighting each other in the past, since they are friendly outside of the ring and share the same trainer in Derrick James, but the question was prompted in part because Spence said he is nearing the end of his welterweight tenure and has expressed a desire to unify at 154.
To do so may mean Spence needs to get in the ring with Charlo, and Spence, far from shying away from that potentially unsavory prospect, seemed to embrace the challenge.
Charlo, on the other hand, has adamantly rejected the idea of facing Spence. Most recently, the Houston-based champion reiterated that view.
“I would never [fight Spence],” Charlo told Brian Custer on The Last Stand Podcast. “I can’t fight my stablemate…I’m not in interested…we have the same coach. How is he going to work two corners?… Nah, I’d move up or we’d dominate this mug together. I ain’t selfish on the belts, I’m on the way to win them all right now and then…vacate and then my boy got to want to win them.”
For that fight to happen, of course, Charlo (34-1-1, 18 KOs) would need to hold onto his belts when he faces WBO titlist Brian Castano (17-0-2, 12 KOs) in an undisputed 154-pound title rematch May 14 in Los Angeles. They fought to a draw last July in San Antonio, Texas.
The 32-year-old southpaw Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) himself has a significant unification bout ahead of him. He is scheduled to face WBA welterweight titlist Yordenis Ugas (27-4, 12 KOs) April 16 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Spence understands the sensitivity surrounding a potential Charlo bout.
“We brothers,” Spence said. “Brothers supposed to break bread, right?”