The winner of this weekend’s match will become a star.
The world is collectively scared for the safety of Mikey Garcia.
At every turn, Garcia has heard for the last few months that he is walking into a guaranteed massacre. However, Garcia has never seen it that way. In fact, he believes the world will learn a lesson about his greatness through this process.
“I have all the tools and all the skills needed to beat Errol Spence Jr.,” said Mikey Garcia at the final press conference. “When it comes to timing, speed, reflexes and defense, you name it, I’m better.
“I have to fight the best fight of my life. If I don’t, then I can’t overcome the challenge. You don’t win a fight with size and weight. We fight smart, we fight intelligently and pick our shots. There are a lot of factors. That’s how I win this fight.”
Errol Spence was visibly agitated during Wednesday’s final press conference. More than the weight cut, Garcia’s hubris is getting to the young champion.
“Mikey is supposed to think he’s going to win this fight,” said Errol. “He called me out, so they obviously think that they see something. I’m glad he’s as confident as I am. I hope he keeps that same energy inside of the ring.”
Tale Of The Tape
Errol “The Truth” Spence, Jr. is beast. His time sparring with Floyd Mayweather is now legendary, and as rumor has it, he more than held his own. Spence has a deep amateur pedigree which is a point based system.
Flat out, he can box.
Although known primarily for his vicious knockout power, Spence has a complete toolbag. Still, at 24-0 with 21 knockouts the IBF welterweight champ is a preemie compared to his opponent.
Mikey Garcia has fought 39 times and defeated them all.
He is also an enigma in boxing. Coming from the lineage of boxing stalwarts like his famous trainer team of his father and brother, Robert Garcia; Mikey was forged from excellence.
The four weight class world champion didn’t start out wanting boxing but it chose him. He told the world that after he beat Sergey Lipinets he would turn welterweight. He said this before he defeated the Russian in San Antonio in 2018. As if that wasn’t enough, he fought the taller Robert Easter, Jr after, knocking him down and taking another unanimous decision.
Then he called out Errol Spence, Jr.
In boxing, records are precious and post-Mayweather, pristine can bring immense currency. Garcia took a two-year layoff to leave former promoter Top Rank. After receiving advisement from Al Haymon, Garcia has been on the Premier Boxing Champions roster and forging his own path independently.
Repercussions
The winner of this weekend’s match will become a star.
For both Spence and Garcia, the two were unlikely bedfellows that all of a sudden seem destined to meet. The brazenness of Garcia for calling out Spence is admirable.
Now he has to own it.
“Getting this victory will forever leave my name in the history books,” said Garcia. “No other fighter is daring to do what I’m doing. I’m here to make history and this fight does that. This fight is about big challenges and obstacles.”
For Spence, anything short of a dominant performance will taint his reputation as the next big thing. Similar to Floyd vs. Canelo, except Mayweather was already proven as a pound-for-pound great before giving Canelo a boxing lesson.
“The size difference won’t matter,” said Spence. “Skill for skill and talent for talent, I’m more dominant than him in every aspect. I’ll beat him at anything he wants to do. On paper he’s the toughest opponent to date, but once we get in the ring we’ll find out.
“I don’t think anyone has the power to knock me out. We don’t allow that kind of mentality into training camp. I hope he tries though.”
