Yardbarker
x
Roy Jones Jr. Wants to Help Spence 'Get Back Up'
Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Roy Jones Jr. Wants to Help Spence 'Get Back Up'

Originally posted on Dice City Sports  |  By Robert LaMar  |  Last updated Nov 11, 2025 10:42 PM ET

Errol Spence Jr. has spent more than two years out of the public eye. Following his brutal knockout loss to Terence Crawford in July 2023. But on Saturday night, the former unified welterweight champion made his presence felt again. This time as an observer ringside at Dickies Arena. Watching fellow Texan Vergil Ortiz Jr. destroy Erickson Lubin in two rounds.

Now 35, Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) hasn’t fought since the Crawford bout. He hasn’t confirmed whether he’ll return to the ring. But a new development could change that narrative: Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. says he’s preparing to work with Spence in Dallas to gauge whether a comeback is realistic.

During an appearance on All The Smoke Fight with Andre Ward. Jones revealed that he’ll soon meet with Spence to train and assess his condition.

“I’m going to work him out a little bit to see where he is at and help him get back,” Jones said. “I don’t have to be his trainer. I just want to help him get going with a couple of days of work and see what he can do. If he likes it, cool. The main thing is: can you get up from it? You’re not judged by how you go down, it’s how you get up.”

Jones emphasized that Spence’s comeback doesn’t need to be long-term. Even one final fight could provide closure for a fighter who has carried Dallas boxing on his shoulders for nearly a decade.

“If he had just one more fight, just for the fun of it, just to say I’m going to go out on my shield and go out right, I’m cool with that,” Jones added.

Ortiz Calls for a Texas Showdown

Ortiz (now 5-0 at 154 pounds) has made it no secret that he wants Spence next. With Jaron “Boots” Ennis also lobbying for a showdown, the next move for both fighters may hinge on Spence’s decision to fight again.

Ortiz’s team has pushed for an “all-Texas showdown,” which could sell out any arena from Fort Worth to Dallas if Spence decides to lace up the gloves again.

A Career Defined by Triumph and Adversity

Spence’s journey has been marked by resilience and tragedy. After surviving a near-fatal car crash in 2019. Then later overcoming a retinal detachment that canceled a superfight with Manny Pacquiao. The Texas southpaw returned to unify welterweight titles defeating Yordenis Ugas, Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter, Mikey Garcia, Lamont Peterson and Kell Brook along the way.

His partnership with longtime trainer Derrick James ended following the Crawford loss. The two were later involved in a legal dispute since then. Spence has been training privately while focusing on personal recovery including addressing issues with alcohol that he has publicly acknowledged.

Fan Support Still Strong

According to Jones, the reception Spence received at Dickies Arena was overwhelming.

“He deserves all the love that he got, because he truly put Dallas boxing back on the map,” Jones said. “A lot of people really love Errol Spence because he’s a down-to-earth guy. You could see he lit up from the fan support it meant something to him.”

If Spence still has the hunger and with Roy Jones Jr. guiding him back into the gym the former champion’s story may not be over yet.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!