DeSoto's Errol Spence continued his torrid pace of winning big tournaments by capturing the United States Olympic Trials 152 pound Welterweight Championship Friday night at the Civic Center in steamy Mobile, Alabama.
Spence, 21, defeated Amir Imam, 24-19 of Albany, New York after three rounds. He led by three after the first round and 17-12 after two. He held on to his five point advantage after the third round.
Spence and the other nine winners in the other weight divisions are guaranteed a chance to qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games at the 2011 AIBA Men's World Championships September 22 - October 10 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The fighters in the light flyweight through light heavyweight must place in the top10 while heavyweight and super heavyweight must place in the top six to make it to London.
"The job is not over," said Spence. And I appreciate all the friends, family and fans that made it to Mobile to cheer for me," he added.
In all, Spence won all four of his fights in Mobile.
After a short break, Spence and the other winners Friday night will head to Southern California to work out with professional trainer Freddie Roach who was in Mobile to take in the action. Roach trains eight-time world champion Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan to name a few.
The work with Roach is to prepare the U.S. squad for the different and international styles they might face in Azerbaijan.
In the crowd were former U.S. Olympians and world champions Evander Holyfield and Ray Mercer.
Comments