Fight result:
Errol Spence Jr has retained his IBF world welterweight title by putting on a 12-round boxing clinic in Texas to beat fellow American Mikey Garcia.
Southpaw Spence won every round on all three judge’s cards, using his significant height and reach advantage to totally dominate Garcia.
Spence’s lightning fast jab and slick boxing skills were too much for his smaller opponent, who was game but ultimately outclassed.
The loss is Garcia’s first in 40 pro fights. A four-division world champion, he stepped up two weight divisions to challenge Spence in search of a fifth world title.
The win takes 29-year-old Spence’s perfect record to 25-0.
After the bout Manny Pacquiao entered the ring and Spence said he’d love to fight him next. He has plenty of other options if that bout doesn’t eventuate.
The welterweight division is jam-packed with talent at the moment, including WBO champion Terence Crawford, WBA champion Keith Thurman and WBC champion Shawn Porter.
Garcia will likely go back to down to lightweight where he still holds the WBC belt. The Ukraine’s WBA and WBO lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko is waiting for him there. It would be a lucrative payday for both fighters.
Fight preview:
Somebody’s 0 has got to go when WBC lightweight champion Mikey Garcia steps up two weight divisions to challenge fellow American and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr in Arlington this afternoon Australian time. Join The Roar at 1pm AEDT for live round-by-round updates of the fight.
It’s a big step-up for the 31-year-old Garcia, but he certainly has the credentials to pull this off. He’s already won world titles in four different weight divisions in his unbeaten career so far. He’s looking to add a fifth against Spence.
Garcia has plenty of punching power, with 30 of his 39 career wins as a pro having been KO’s.
Spence has been the IBF world welterweight champion since May 2017 when he stopped England’s Kell Brook in the 11th in Sheffield. He’s since defended his title inside the distance twice.
Like Garcia, the 29-year-old Spence also has plenty of punching power, with 21 of his 24 career victories ending early.
Spence will have a significant height and reach advantage over Garcia. He’ll enter the ring as a heavy favourite, but anything could happen.
Win, lose or draw in this bout, there are some potentially exciting fights ahead for both boxers. The welterweight division is jam-packed with talent at the moment, including WBO champion Terence Crawford, WBA champion Keith Thurman and WBC champion Shawn Porter.
Garcia could also go back down to lightweight where the Ukraine’s WBA and WBO champion Vasyl Lomachenko is waiting for him for what would be a lucrative payday for both fighters.
Prediction
Logic dictates that Spence should be able to use his height, reach and boxing skills to keep the smaller Garcia away from him.
Garcia will need to be prepared to get in range and let his hands go, like he normally does. He’ll need a KO to win.
If it goes the distance, Spence will win.
Time: From 1pm AEDT, Sunday 17 March
Venue: AT & T Stadium, Arlington, USA
TV: Live on Fox Sports Channel 507
Fight Records: Spence 24-0, Garcia 39-0
Betting: Spence $1.22, Garcia $3.80
eddyboi
Roar Rookie
Absoutely
eddyboi
Roar Rookie
Saw that fight, there is no reason to fight Pacquaio, Spence needs to go after Crawford.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Totally agree Rick, Crawford v Spence would be a cracker.
Rick James
Roar Rookie
FIRST manny then Thurman, he didn’t look that impressive in his last bout either, but then again two years of ring rust. Crawford v Spence would be the best fight in the Welterweight division
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Pacman is the WBA "regular" champion. It would be a good payday for Spence due to Pacman's name, but Keith Thurman is the WBA "super" champion in the alphabet soup world of boxing titles. So if Spence "really" wanted to unify, he would need to take on Thurman and beat him.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Fight report Errol Spence Jr has retained his IBF world welterweight title by putting on a 12-round boxing clinic in Texas to beat fellow American Mikey Garcia. Southpaw Spence won every round on all three judge’s cards, using his significant height and reach advantage to totally dominate Garcia. Spence’s lightning fast jab and slick boxing skills were too much for his smaller opponent, who was game but ultimately outclassed. The loss is Garcia’s first in 40 pro fights. A four-division world champion, he stepped up two weight divisions to challenge Spence in search of a fifth world title. The win takes 29-year-old Spence’s perfect record to 25-0. After the bout Manny Pacquiao entered the ring and Spence said he’d love to fight him next. He has plenty of other options if that bout doesn’t eventuate. The welterweight division is jam-packed with talent at the moment, including WBO champion Terence Crawford, WBA champion Keith Thurman and WBC champion Shawn Porter. Garcia will likely go back to down to lightweight where he still holds the WBC belt. The Ukraine’s WBA and WBO lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko is waiting for him there. It would be a lucrative payday for both fighters.
Rick James
Roar Rookie
Talking to manny pacquaio for unification bout
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Manny Pacquiao enters the ring after the bout and Spence immediately asks him to be his next opponent. Pacquiao agrees.
Rick James
Roar Rookie
Easy payday for Spence jr
John Coomer
Roar Guru
As expected a unanimous decision for Spence (120-108 on 2 cards, 120-107 on the 3rd, a total shutout). It was a very impressive performance from Spence, and the step up two weight classes was too much for Garcia to handle.
Rick James
Roar Rookie
EAsy win for spence
John Coomer
Roar Guru
We're now waiting for the official decision. Garcia's face heavily marked as you'd expect.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 12 It's over, Spence tries for a late stoppage but Garcia goes the distance. It will be a very comfortable points decision for Spence. He put on a boxing clinic over the 12 rounds, using his boxing skills, height and reach to totally control the fight.
Rick James
Roar Rookie
Garcia needs a ko
Rick James
Roar Rookie
Finalround Spence might just do enough and call it a day, good fight not great
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 11 Spence working hard for a stoppage, putting in heavy body shots! Garcia is tough, but he's taking too much punishment. He makes it to the stool again, but will his corner let him continue?
Rick James
Roar Rookie
Munguia didn’t do that flash against Inoue, plus this fight ain’t going to last much longer
John Coomer
Roar Guru
I hope I’m wrong, but I think Munguia will KO him. He’s a brilliant young fighter.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 10 Garcia trying to trade in close with Spence, but Spence getting the better of the exchanges. Garcia's corner must be thinking about stopping this, but he makes it to the end of the round.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 9 Spence looking supremely confident now, backing Garcia up to the ropes, looks like he could put him away! Garcia is struggling to hang on but shows plenty of heart to make it to the end of the round.