The next installment of PBC on Spike TV has been bolstered by an intriguing welterweight bout that will cushion the Adonis Stevenson-Tommy Karpency clash in the headline slot. It was announced that 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence will fight Chris Van Heerden in a 10-round encounter for the night’s co-main event.
Spence (17-0, 14 KOs) has been swiftly ascending the rankings at welterweight, looking sensational with each passing bout. The Texan last fought on the Shawn Porter-Adrien Broner undercard in June, when he torched Phil Lo Greco in the third. Spence is expected to eventually become a genuine threat to the elite fighters at 147 pounds within a few years and he’ll get his chance to continue to impress against Van Heerden.
South African-born Van Heerden is one of the most talented boxers that Spence will have fought up to this point. Already having scored victories over quality opposition like Cecil McCalla, Cosme Rivera and Matthew Hatton, Van Heerden (23-1-1, 12 KOs) should make Spence earn a win, should the American prevail. Van Heerden’s only loss was Nikola Stevanovic via split decision over five years ago.