Errol Spence Jr. is just fine, thank you.
The welterweight titleholder, fighting for the first time since a horrific car accident that could’ve killed him 14 months ago, looked as good as he ever did in a one-sided victory over Danny Garcia on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Garcia simply didn’t have the physical tools to cope with Spence, who was quicker and slicker – as well as busier — than the challenger, who is now 0-3 against top welterweights.
Spence, a southpaw, set everything up with his sharp right jab to the head and body, which he followed with quick, accurate combinations – including many hard shots to the body – that didn’t give Garcia the opportunity to counter as consistently as he would’ve liked.
And Spence, apparently finding a groove, got better and better as the fight progressed and Garcia became more frustrated.
Garcia had good moments. He landed some winging shots to the head and his share of body blows, particularly when Spence took his foot off the gas a few times. However, those were the exceptions.
Spence controlled the fight overall, using his speed, pressure and ring acumen to defuse one of the best fighters in world and win a wide decision. The scores were 116-112, 116-112 and 117-111, which might’ve been generous.
Boxing Junkie scored it 118-110 for Spence, who was making his fifth defense.
Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) told anybody who would listen leading up to the fight that he had no lingering effects from the accident. He proved it in arguably his finest performance as a professional boxer, given Garcia’s ability.
“It’s surreal, man,” he said. “It’s a dream of mine, especially after my accident, coming back after a year and half layoff. I think I looked pretty good [even though] I got a little tired, I shook off the cobwebs.
“I’ll be ready to fight again in the summer time.”
Garcia (36-3, 21 KOs) is a former welterweight titleholder but has come up short in his three toughest fights at 147 pounds, losing decisions to Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter and now Spence. The setback on Saturday was the most one-sided of the three.
Many analysts said beforehand that Garcia had to be more active than he normally is, that he couldn’t rely solely on counterpunching, if he hoped to beat Spence. The champion just never gave him a chance to do it.
There wasn’t much he could say afterward.
“He was just the better man tonight,” he said. “No excuses. I fought a hard, tough fight. He had a pretty good jab. I think that was the key to the fight, his jab. … And he was busier than me. … I gotta step back and rebuild and see what I gotta do next.
“All three fights (Thurman, Porter and Sence) were good fights. I fought hard. I’m proud.”
Spence made it clear that he wants to take a long break. The accident took place in October of last year. He started working out a few months later and was back in the gym in February, which means he has been training for nine-plus months.
He wouldn’t say who he’d like to fight when he returns in the summer. He’s clearly the man to beat, though. He won’t have to look hard to find another top 147-pounder willing to challenge him.
“I’m going to chill on my ranch,” he said. “I just bought a new ranch. I got a couple of horses, I’m gonna get some more horses, get some chickens, some more cows. I’m going to chill with my kids and my family and enjoy my time. And I gotta decide when I’m going to come back. Hopefully it’ll be in the summertime.
“But right now I’m just going to enjoy my family time. I’ve had a long year and a half. I need to rest a little bit.”
He earned it.
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