Mike Tyson Warns Errol Spence Jr. About Not Making This Mistake Ahead of Potential Terence Crawford Rematch

The high-stakes realm of boxing sees a lot of fighters come and go, a lot of matches won, a lot lost. The short-lived career is everything for a fighter before their inevitable retirement. As young boxers, it is always best to heed the advice of older, seasoned, and experienced boxers. None is more proficient than Mike Tyson.

In a candid interview during a training session with MMA fighter Francis Ngannou, Mike Tyson had very important advice to give younger pugilist, Errol Spence Jr. coming out of a humiliating loss against Terence Crawford. Should Spence be taking the rematch against ‘Bud’? ‘Iron Mike’ tapped into his wealth of experience in the world of boxing to give an appropriate answer.

Mike Tyson on Errol Spence Jr’s return

Ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou teamed up with the legendary Mike Tyson for a media workout in anticipation of his highly-anticipated clash with the lineal heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, scheduled for October 28.  What unfolded was a series of hard-hitting questions.

Mike Tyson, with his famous candor, answered all the questions with confidence. Asked about his thoughts on a possible rematch with Terence Crawford, Mike Tyson had this as advice for Errol Spence Jr. “ Not immediately” he said, adding “Fight one and warm up fight and another fight, one to two, and then go back.”

Mike Tyson’s recommendation for Errol Spence Jr. to steer clear of an immediate rematch with Terence Crawford stems from his extensive experience in the professional boxing realm. Tyson understands that the choice to participate in a rematch requires thoughtful consideration, as it contains a range of strategic factors.

Every rematch necessitates a substantial level of preparation. After a career-threatening surgery, Spence was ill-prepared for his fight against Crawford, and many noticed his performance was a shadow of his former self.

A rematch would obviously involve months of preparation, and the risk of re-injury for Spence is catastrophic. Warm-up matches, as ‘Iron Mike’ suggested would help prepare him for the rematch he has been looking forward to.

Setbacks in Spence’s personal life that may have impacted his fight against Crawford

Errol Spence Jr. has shown exceptional resilience in his boxing career. Just three weeks after defeating Shawn Porter in 2019, he faced a devastating crash in his $300,000 Ferrari. According to Talk Sport, despite the severe injuries, including a fractured jaw, concussion, facial lacerations, and damaged teeth, he miraculously survived. His recovery encompassed physical healing and dealing with persistent neck and hip pain, described as “muscle trauma,” along with post-traumatic stress while driving.

Read More: Terence Crawford Details Why the Errol Spence Jr Fight Happened at “The Best Time”

This ordeal raised serious doubts about whether Spence could ever fully recover, both physically and mentally. However, defying the odds, he made a remarkable return to the ring in December of 2020, defeating Danny Garcia. This victory earned him a shot at the legendary Manny Pacquiao, a defining moment in his career. Yet, just as he was about to enter this pivotal fight, Spence faced another setback. A retinal tear, likely a result of his earlier car crash, forced him to withdraw from the bout. 

Spence’s story of resilience didn’t end there. In April 2022, he made yet another comeback, facing Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas. Ugas had taken his place as Pacquiao’s opponent and retired the Filipino legend. Spence’s career was once again on the line, and his victory against Ugas demonstrated his unwavering determination.

In December, Spence was involved in another car crash, resulting in an almost career-ending surgery. Though the surgery was successful, Spence’s body was weak due to years of trauma, and he subsequently lost the match against Terence Crawford in a 9th-round Technical Knockout. 

Mike Tyson’s advice is valid, and through a lot of experience, It shines as a guiding light that will help Errol Spence Jr. navigate the treacherous waters that is the world of boxing.

Watch This Story: The two car crashes that Errol Spence was involved in