Spence beats Porter, gets 2 belts in split-decision thriller

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Errol Spence added the WBC welterweight title to his IBF belt with a thrilling split-decision victory over Shawn Porter on Saturday night.

Spence (26-0) persevered through the biggest challenge of his ascendant career from Porter (30-3-1), a veteran brawler who forced Spence into uncomfortable situations in nearly every round. Spence matched Porter’s pace and landed more punches, and he punctuated the win by knocking down Porter in the 11th round with a left hand.

Two judges scored it 116-111 for Spence, and a third scored it 115-112 for Porter. The Associated Press scored it 114-113 for Spence.

Porter’s unorthodox, pugnacious style baited the favored Spence into many wild exchanges, starting with a thrilling stretch of the third and fourth rounds.

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