ERROL SPENCE JR.
VS. DANNY GARCIA
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT THE BIG FIGHT
When: Saturday, Dec. 5
Start time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV: Pay-per-view
Division: Welterweight (12 rounds)
At stake: Spence’s IBF and WBC titles
Odds: Spence 3½-1 (BetMGM)
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ERROL SPENCE JR. BIO
Record: 26-0, 21 KOs
Current titles: IBF and WBC welterweight
Other titles: None
Key victories: Kell Brook (KO 11), Mikey Garcia (UD), Shawn Porter (SD)
Key losses: None
Home country: United States (DeSoto, Texas)
Age: 30
Pro debut: 2012
Pro rounds: 120
Height: 5 feet, 9½ inches (177 cm)
Reach: 72 inches (183 cm)
Stance: Southpaw
Trainer: Derrick James
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GARCIA BIO
Record: 36-2, 21 KOs
Current titles: None
Other titles: WBA and WBC junior welterweight (2012-15); WBC welterweight (2016-17)
Key victories: Erik Morales (UD, KO 4), Zab Judah (UD), Lucas Matthysse (UD), Lamont Peterson (MD)
Key losses: Keith Thurman (SD), Shawn Porter (UD)
Home country: United States (Philadelphia)
Age: 32
Pro debut: 2007
Pro rounds: 258
Height: 5 feet, 8 inches (173 cm)
Reach: 68½ inches (174 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Trainer: Angel Garcia (father)
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WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH
This is one the best-possible matchups in arguably the most-compelling division in boxing. Spence is a must-see rising star who will be taking part in his third straight fight against an elite opponent, which is unusual these days. Plus, Spence hasn’t fought since a horrific car accident in which he was thrown through the windshield of his Ferrari in October of last year. Everyone wants to know whether the crash will have had any lingering effects. Also, as we said, Garcia is no slouch. He’s a two-time titleholder with a deep resume who is at least near his peak at 32. Spence is a 3½-1 favorite (BetMGM) for a reason but this a good, compelling matchup on paper. That’s all we can ask for.
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FIVE KEY QUESTIONS
Has Spence fully recovered from his car accident in October of last year? Of course, we don’t know. And we may never know. He says he’s fine. His trainer says he sees no difference in him after the accident. We’ll see whether something reveals itself during the fight.
Was Spence wise to forgo a tune-up fight? No one would’ve blamed Spence if he took an easy fight to test his body after the accident. However, he wanted an opponent who would motivate him in training. He has that in Garcia. Kudos to him.
What makes Spence so good? Versatility. If he needs to box, he can box with the best of them (Mikey Garcia fight). If he needs to bang, he’s willing to dig deep (Shawn Porter fight). It’s difficult to beat a big, strong welterweight with unusual skills and durability.
Is Garcia a legitimate threat to Spence?
Absolutely. Spence is probably a better fighter — but not by that much. Garcia has a strong skill set, experience, elite power and a granite chin. He has two losses but both were close decisions against top-tier opponents, Thurman and Porter. You can’t count him out.
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WHY SPENCE WILL WIN
Spence might have too many advantages over Garcia, assuming he has fully recovered from the car accident. He’s the bigger, stronger fighter, he’s quicker, he’s a better boxer and he can take a punch. That will be difficult for even a fighter of Garcia’s caliber to overcome. Garcia has an edge in experience and unwavering belief in himself — which can go a long way in any fight — but it probably won’t be enough this time.
WHY GARCIA WILL WIN
Never underestimate a wily veteran, especially one with Garcia’s punching power, confidence and chin. He was a dominating junior welterweight. And he held a welterweight title and essentially fought on even terms with two of the best 147 pounders, one of whom (Porter) almost beat Spence. Garcia arguably has a resume worthy of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and can still fight. In other words, don’t be shocked if he has his hand raised in the end.
PREDICTION
Spence by a unanimous decision.
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ALSO ON THE CARD
- Sebastian Fundora vs. Jorge Cota, 12 rounds, junior middleweights
- Eduardo Ramirez vs. Miguel Flores, 12 rounds, WBA featherweight eliminator
- Josesito Lopez vs. Francisco Santana 10 rounds, welterweights
- Miguel Flores vs. Isaac Avelar, 10 rounds, junior lightweights
[lawrence-related id=15926,15730,15652]
