Boxer Errol Spence, Jr. Says 'The Truth' Is That He Hates To Lose

As boxer Errol Spence, Jr., nicknamed “The Truth,” prepares for the Summer Olympics, he hopes to show everyone that he is indeed the real deal. He’s not a boxer who dances around the ring, or even publicly trash talks his opponents prior to a fight. Instead, boxing fans view him as one of the best amateur fighters in the world today. With London currently on his mind, and keeping his eye on the prize, what has kept Spence Jr. focused and driven after all these years is not so much his desire to win.

“I hate to lose,” Spence told NBC. As if his will to win wasn’t clear enough, his family noticed it too.

“If we were playing a game, whatever game it is, if he thinks he's gonna lose he would just knock the whole thing over and start all over again,” his father, Errol Spence Sr., stated regarding his son’s competitive mentality.

Born on January 13, 1990 in Dallas, Texas, Spence lived the normal life of a young Texan, spending most of his time playing sports such as football, baseball and basketball. Even though he played on team sports, Spence had always had an admiration for boxing due to it’s one-on-one aspect. Prior to boxing, Spence’s only fighting experience occurred during a few street brawls that he was a part of. With the help of his father, Spence began training for boxing at the young age of 15. Within six months after his start, he was already a Texas State Silver Glove Champion.

Despite the great start, Spence's journey to boxing greatness wasn’t always a smooth one. Spence's father often worked the graveyard shift as a truck driver just so he could take his son to the gym. Other times he would take off from work just so he could watch his son fight in tournaments. "My father making that sacrifice; it means everything.” Spence told NBC Olympics. “I would love to put a gold medal around his neck for what he's done for me." But while his father serves as his inspiration, his mother may very well be his greatest motivation. “You get nothin' for nothin'. Whatever you want you have to work hard for it and put 100 percent in it," his mother stated.

Spence is definitely no stranger to hard work, which has attributed so much to his success. Sometimes, in order to be great, you have to take on obstacles that most people wouldn’t even dare try to attempt. One of Spence’s well-known summer training practices includes a six-mile run in the streets of Dallas late at night (due to the intense heat during the daytime). At first, police officers would usually think that Spence was being chased. But after several runs, it became so normal that they knew he was just training. This practice may have people think of him as crazy or bold, but the one thing people can’t question about Spence is his heart.

—SIGMUND SICANGCO