Newark, NJ — December 25, 2021
When you are a young and upcoming professional boxer it’s all about earning respect. Linden, Michigan’s Joey Spencer did not get the proper recognition from Premier Boxing Champion ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. prior to his fight on the Mielnicki / DeLomba undercard.
Lennon introduced Spencer as being from Linden, New Jersey. It may have been an innocent mistake as the town is just a few miles south of Newark, the location of the Christmas night fight program televised on Fox Sports. But, Joey noticed and certainly his fans picked up on the slight.
Spencer made sure to earn the proper acclaim with his knockout victory over journeyman fighter Limberth Ponce as he ran his professional record to 14-0 with 10 knockouts. All of Joey’s previous KOs have come in four rounds or less. Saturday’s event was scheduled for eight rounds, but Ponce went down midway through the 5th round.
Cautious Opening Rounds
Ponce entered the fight with an 18-4 record, 11 of his wins coming by knockout. Through the first three rounds, Spencer stayed out of range of Ponce’s power, content to throw straight jabs and hard body shots.
The only early highlight was a right hook Joey threw that Ponce blocked with his glove. The force of the blow drove Ponce’s left hand into his own face and momentarily stunned the more experienced boxer.
The slow start to the match allowed Spencer to feel out his opponent and notice the openings that were afforded by Ponce’s boxing style.
The Action Picks Up
Things opened up somewhat in the 4th round as both boxers landed punches. Spencer continued to outpoint his ring adversary landing the larger share of punches thrown. He stung Ponce with a late-round connection that again staggered the boxer from Mexico.
In the 5th round, Spencer pulled out the combinations, and soon Ponce was reeling. A lethal left to the chin of Ponce sent him awkwardly to the canvas and Referee Eric Dali immediately stepped in to end the contest as it was clear the 30-year old was unable to protect himself. The official time of the knockout was 1:24 of the fifth round
Spencer showed a couple of minor marks on his face but was never in trouble as he dispatched what might have been the most competent boxer he has faced yet in his professional career.
