Errol Spence Jr says he proved his detractors wrong by ending Mikey Garcia’s unbeaten record with a unanimous decision win on Saturday. Spence Jr preserved his own perfect record and now has 25 wins in as many contests after a dominant display as all three judges awarded him all 12 rounds.
Garcia moved up two weight classes and was rated as the underdog ahead of the fight, but some pundits felt the four-weight world champion boasted the superior skill set and would be able to outbox Spence Jr. However, Spence Jr landed 345 punches compared to Garcia’s 75, who managed double figures in just one round, and the IBF world welterweight champion felt he answered his critics with the manner of his victory.
“Throughout training camp, a lot of commentators thought he was too smart and I couldn’t box as well as him. I showed I can box and I can move my head if I want to,” said Spence Jr. “The game is to be smart. It’s the sweet science. I had the size and reach advantage, so why not use it to take away the jab? It’s a weapon for me and it takes away one of his weapons.”
Spence Jr could take on veteran Manny Pacquiao next as the Filipino was at the AT&T Stadium and said prior to Saturday’s clash he would be open to taking on the winner. The other welterweight title holders – Shawn Porter, Terence Crawford and Keith Thurman – could also be potential opponents for Spence Jr.
Garcia is likely to opt to drop back down in weight class after failing in his bid to become a five-weight world champion and Ukrainian Vasyl Lomachenko, who holds the WBA and WBO belts, would be the obvious target.
