Canelo-Spence in 2018?

A year ago, Errol Spence Jr. talked about unifying all the welterweight titles before moving up for a crack at 154 pounds. However, it is possible that bout could materialize sooner than expected.

According to sources reporting to FightNights.com, Spence is in need of a big fight due to his excessive spending habits.

Spence, 27, a former Olympian, has spoken of possibly moving up to junior middleweight for a fight against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who is just coming off a disputed split draw against middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin last Saturday.

“Maybe when I unify the titles, in a year or two I’ll move up and fight Canelo at 154 and fight him here. So it’s a big opportunity for me. I’m young right now so [fighting at AT&T Stadium] – I can definitely see it happening in the future,” Spence told RingTV last September.

“We both have great fundamentals, both have power, and both very explosive. I think it would be a great fight. If I could fill it up like Canelo can, that would be great, a dream come true. I walk around in the high 160s, so I would definitely move up [to fight Canelo]. I’m a big welterweight.”

Now that Spence is a champion, he needs fights. His 11th round knockout of Kell Brook to win the IBF welterweight world title in May seemed to address his critics’ concerns. Not only did he show that he can take a punch, but he also exemplified ample power, and a sharp jab. Even more impressively, he did so in front of a mostly rancorous crowd of 27,000 at Bramall Lane Football Ground in Sheffield, Brook’s hometown.

From 2013-2015, he was averaging nearly six fights a year, which is good for a young, up-and-coming fighter. Since 2016, Spence has only fought three times, including one fight this year with Brook. That's his main problem.

It makes sense for fighters in their mid to late thirties having one, maybe two bouts a year. It can be detrimental for a young boxer and it’s truly a shame that Spence is stuck in the position that he’s in.

Canelo, of course, was massive for a junior middleweight and is still big for a 160-pounder. He can probably still make 154 if he tries, but the larger weight cut could be a drain. If the bout makes sense, a 155-pound catch-weight isn’t out of the ballpark.