Errol Spence Jr., once undefeated and a dominant force in the welterweight boxing division, has reflected deeply on his career and personal life following a significant setback and subsequent retirement. Spence, who held a perfect record of 28-0 with 22 knockouts before his defeat, faced a turning point in November 2024 when he suffered a ninth-round technical knockout loss to Terence Crawford in Las Vegas. Crawford, the undefeated boxer from Omaha, Nebraska, knocked Spence down three times in a one-sided bout, leading to the stoppage.

Following this loss, Crawford moved up in weight and continued his career until retiring after a decisive win over Canelo Alvarez in September 2025. For Spence, the defeat initiated a period of introspection and temporary retirement. In conversation after a training session in late June 2027, Spence remarked that the experience forced him to find peace and happiness outside of the sport. He expressed gratitude for having rediscovered a sense of self beyond boxing, which had long been his sole identity.

Spence’s father, Errol Sr., who attended the fight against Crawford, declined to comment extensively on his son's defeat, citing undisclosed personal matters. Meanwhile, Spence has acknowledged that an injury likely impacted his performance; he revealed in an interview with Hall of Famer Andre Ward that six weeks before the fight, he suffered a rib injury for which he received a cortisone shot. This injury limited his ability to spar during training, a fact confirmed by Spence but not commented on by his trainer at the time, Derrick James. Spence’s current trainer, Ronnie Shields, expressed surprise upon hearing about the lack of sparring but emphasized focusing on the present rather than past setbacks.

Spence’s challenges extend beyond the ring. In 2019, he was involved in a serious car accident in Dallas, which caused dental and soft tissue injuries. He pleaded guilty to a driving while intoxicated charge and admitted to struggling with a fast-paced, party lifestyle. Seeking stability, he purchased a large property in Red Oak, Texas, where he enjoys farming and spending time with his family. The loss to Crawford prompted Spence to assess his physical and mental health, including the toll of car accidents and his previous lifestyle choices. He has since ceased drinking and traveled internationally to find balance, visiting countries such as Japan and Saint Martin.

Close associates note that this period of recovery has contributed to improvements in Spence’s focus and mindset. His longtime friend, Stuart Wallace, said that Spence has become sharper and more grounded as he processes past trauma. Another confidant, Jourdan Isom, highlighted that Spence entered the Crawford fight while not fully recovered and stressed that family remains Spence’s primary motivation.

Since his return to boxing, Spence parted ways with Derrick James amid legal disputes over unpaid fees. James, who had been part of Spence’s camp since early in his career, is no longer involved as Spence trains under Ronnie Shields. Shields, a former amateur competitor against Spence, described his protégé as rejuvenated and eager to adapt his style, including using more head movement and quicker exchanges in his upcoming fights. Spence trains near Houston but maintains close ties to home in Red Oak, balancing family time with preparation.

Spence has emphasized that boxing no longer defines his identity. Whether or not he continues fighting beyond his next bout, he says he has found fulfillment and peace outside the ring. “If this is my last fight then I’m OK with it because I’m OK with everything and how it went on and how it transpired, and I know I can live without getting into the ring ever again,” Spence reflected.