Spence activates rematch clause.

[Kirkland Laing]

Would definitely say Spence should take a get back fight at 154 and give himself every shot of salvaging and steadying remainder of career. Saw talk that he may very well replace Derrick James too.

calvin ford & roy jones jr are rumoured to be in the running as replacement options

Never been big on Roy as full time trainer. Partly as he’s still determined to fight himself but Roy is going to Roy and always be a focus. He and Spence come off as polar opposites in personality and style. Either way, new trainer screams “tune up needed” before a Bud rematch with them.

I don't think that Spence has a tune up in him, and I am pretty sure that Errol doesn't think that he has one in him, either. To me, it looks like a cash out move, because his option, moneywise, is Crawford and a tune up fight would put that at risk.
The trainer change...I remember when Derrick was getting a ton of credit for teaching Spence to fight like a pro. In my opinion- and a this is based on a detailed email he sent me regarding a fighter I was with detailing what he saw as that fighter's limitations and how he would fix them- he fundamentally misunderstands some things about stance and weight distribution and transfer. I think that all of these things are visible in the fighter. I don't think that the change is going to make a difference; you aren't going to make any changes in a short term situation, even in the best of circumstances, and I don't think that Spence will do any sparring beyond the bare minimum for this fight. If offered, I would take the payday but I wouldn't quit my job because it is not a career positive.

I suppose if I came from the premise that he was completely done I can see that route. As far as preserving it all for one last big payday. But however brutal and one way the fight went I hold a little hope and belief for a rebuild. The attempt of one at least. It's really just hard to say and know for sure where he is post Crawford. Though it seemed before the bell sounded that he had a certain resignation in his demeanor and all around "look". Often we see guys spiral down when knocked off the perch never to return. Especially off of one-way knockouts. And his age is a big factor. But he could very well mount it all for one last recommitted charge with a now cemented and rival who he's seen in the ring. Even if thru a crimson swollen mask. Clearly Crawford is a massive favorite and he also has seen what Spence works with. So he too will be expected to surpass his own victory. But I think 154 will suit Spence much better. To me his biggest obstacle is upstairs here. He like so many fighters today contributed to his downfall with unreal inactivity and almost a lazy mindset. Be it Bud or someone else, he sure as shit better fully recommit to have himself fully tuned or he'll go the way of so many before him. The man could wind up a trivia question. But I'll always give a guy taking his first loss to the very best, 1 or 2, fighter in the world today at least some benefit of the doubt. It's entirely on him.

The trainer roulette wheel I'll defer and take the word of a professional like yourself. Have no idea. I'm thinking though that a tune up is more for the trainer/fighter new waters intro. Or at this level can much of that be determined in the gym? He's 33 and rather work out a kink or try things vs some light touch under live lights with a crowd than immediately back under the burner with Crawford. He's no pup and has always been a little stand head high too. As a businessman he can play safe and guaranteed for rematch but getting 'back' on his own terms first and notching a win can be a benefit. In a way it feels like that was much of the problem leading in. That mental and physical stagnation that helps to sabotage. You simply cannot be "the best" bringing "the best" with literally just 1 fight over 2.5 years! That goes for all of them. It's insane and a massive problem in boxing today. Guys just waiting for the lottery to fall in their lap, tip toing around each other rather than take that chance. If the pressure of a tune up is more than he can handle even after his last fight then maybe it's for the better that way. Guys calling themselves p4p or being handed immediate rankings today should feel pressure to perform. Be under the spotlight. But too many hide out, just waiting. Mentalities are different now. I look back at how ravaged and written off maybe a Meldrick Taylor was post Chavez. And he was shot up. But compared to today he was still able to mount a comeback, claim a championship and get himself back into a massive fight with Norris. One that proved a brutal bridge too far of course. Then again, he was what...7,8 years younger than Spence? Maybe it's not a good thing to compare the two . Let the chips fall where they may.

Emanuel Steward had a few things he called as close to iron laws of boxing as you could get and one of them was in rematches the more skilled fighter almost always wins. I don't think there's any rebuild Spence can do that is going to change things. Maybe his timing can improve but his hands and feet are not going to get any faster. Well behind as far as boxing brain goes too. Maybe Crawford is bullshitting that moving to 154 would help him too and it turns into a massive Spence advantage but even if the extra weight really helps Spence I just see Crawford sharpshooting Spence for twelve rounds off the back foot and winning basically every round. Too fast and too slick.