Joey Spence has fought in some of the biggest markets in boxing, but nothing compares to the pride that comes from fighting in his own backyard.
Spence will complete a career milestone when he steps into the ring at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan, on Thursday as part of Salita Promotions’ “Boxing America” card. Spence, 24, will take on undefeated Miguel Angel Hernandez in a 10-round middleweight bout that will air live on DAZN.
It’s a homecoming for Spencer, a native of Linden, Michigan, just 21 minutes from Flint.
“I’ve always wanted to fight at the Dortmund Financial Center,” Spencer said during a media session on Tuesday. “It’s kind of like a wish list for people in this area.”
For Spence, who has an 18-1 record (11 KOs), this fight represents more than just closeness — it’s also a chance to regain his footing, this time in a new middleweight division . After losing to junior middleweight Jesus Ramos Jr. in 2023, Spence has bounced back with two wins and is now eager to showcase his skills on the most high-profile stage since that setback.
His opponent, Hernandez, is a 26-year-old fighter from Dallas, Texas who has an undefeated record of 9-0 (7 KOs) but faces limited competition. His only victory over an opponent with a winning record came in February in Canada, his only fight outside the United States. Still, Spencer is preparing for a challenging fight knowing that in the back-up What’s at stake is in front of his hometown audience. For Spence, this fight is about more than just boxing, but about reconnecting with his roots, giving back to the community that raised him, and reigniting his career with the energy of the place he calls home. Spencer reflected on the significance of the night and shared the card with Flint native Ardreal Holmes Jr., who headlined the event.
“When I was younger, guys like Adriel Holmes Jr. were people I looked up to,” Spencer said. “They’re doing what I want to do.”
He also paid tribute to Flint’s most famous boxer, Clarissa Shields, who set the standard for Michigan boxing.
“Fighters like Claire [Shields] Setting the standard for what’s to come,” Spencer said.
Lucas Ketelle is an honorary member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the author of Inside The Ropes of Boxing (available on Amazon). Contact him via X @LukieBoxing.
