It's a story of destiny and redemption as undefeated, Unified World Welterweight Champion Errol Spence Jr. defends his WBA and IBF straps versus two-division champion Danny Garcia Saturday night on FOX Sports PPV.
Spence vs Garcia Weigh In
This Saturday, December 5, undefeated Unified WBC & IBF World Welterweight Champion Errol Spence Jr. (26-0, 21 KOs) returns to the ring to defend his top dog status against two-division former world champ Danny "Swift" Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs) I In the biggest 147-pound clash of the year.
The high-stakes Spence vs. Garcia war sits atop a FOX Sports, Premier Boxing Champions Pay-Per-View (9 pm. ET/6 p.m. PT), live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
On the undercard, rising 154-pound star Sebastian "The Towering Inferno" Fundora takes on veteran Habib Ahmed in a 12-round WBC super welterweight title eliminator.
Also, "The Riverside Rocky," Josesito Lopez faces Francisco "Chia" Santana in a 10-round welterweight contest. Opening up the pay-per-view telecast, former world title challenger Miguel Flores meets top contender Eduardo Ramirez in a 12-round WBC featherweight title eliminator.
The Story
Spence fought his way to the top of the stacked 147-pound class and secured his place with a hard-fought victory over Shawn Porter in September 2019. Then, roughly two weeks after that marquee win, he suffered a horrendous life-threatening car wreck.
The Desoto, Texas native survived with his faculties intact and then launched himself into comeback mode to maintain his camel clutch on the welterweight throne. Rather than ease his way back, though, "The Truth" opted to jump right back into the fire against one of the division's undisputed top fighters, Danny Garcia.
Garcia has skirted around welterweight dominance after a top dog run at 140, registering an 8-2 record at 147 with close, disputed decision losses to Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter. This Spence clash will give the 32-year-old Philadelphia fighter, universally regarded as one of the most skilled boxers in the game, a shortcut directly to the top.
The Stakes
At stake are Spence's IBF and WBC world titles as well as his status as consensus no. 1 welterweight in the world. Also on the line is a pathway to more lucrative fights at the very top of a packed division.
The Matchup
Spence is a physically strong, technically-sound southpaw with an offensive mindset and supreme confidence in his abilities.
The 30-year-old establishes pace and space with a thudding jab that also works to set up a heavy right hook and follow-up left. On the inside, he works the body exceptionally well.
Spence's near-flawless technique and his ability to get leverage on every shot in his repertoire make him an exemplary offensive fighter. His confidence and focus make him hard to throw off-kilter.
Defensively, he's adept at parrying incoming shots with his gloves and has solid reflexes, but he's benefitted greatly by the distance he creates with his jab and physical presence.
Garcia is extremely well-schooled and possesses a superb all-around skill set. He does just about everything well, employing great balance and quick hands to go along with a superior ring IQ. The kill shot in his arsenal, however, is a jarring, rocket-like left hand, a punch that still ranks among the pound-for-pound best offensive weapons in the sport.
“ I wanted someone who is tough and who could push me to the limit, so I can get back to being Errol Spence Jr. ” Undefeated, Unified World Welterweight Champion - Errol Spence Jr.
A cerebral, disciplined counter-puncher by nature, Garcia can sometimes be too analytical and patient, allowing opponents to steal rounds (or moments in rounds) while he waits on openings and opportunities.
On defense, Garcia is served well by smart counter-punching that makes opposition second guess themselves on offense. His high ring IQ, intuitive positioning, and above-average reflexes are also assets.
The Words
Errol Spence Jr.
"I didn't want any tune-up fights. I wanted someone who is tough and who could push me to the limit, so I can get back to being Errol Spence Jr. I'm going to give a great performance and hear 'and still' on December 5.
"I'm still the top dog in the division. Fighting Danny will show how great a fighter I am."
Danny Garcia
"On December 5, no stone will be unturned. We're going to give it 110% and take these titles from him in his hometown.
"I've been an underdog my whole career. I'm used to playing that role. I just have to go in there and be myself. I have to believe in myself 100% and fight round by round. I'm going to show what a true champion is made of."
The Breakdown
The great unknown factor in this bout revolves around Spence and whether last year's car accident and subsequent down time have taken any toll on him. If he's not at 100%, all bets are off as to who will emerge victorious.
Spence has shown some vulnerability to those who pressure him, rush him, and make him fight outside of his comfort zone. The question is whether Garcia can do that to Spence.
Another question is Garcia’s is ability to handle southpaws as their reverse positioning somewhat nullifies his killer left hook. He's only been matched against lefties five times in thirty-eight pro fights and, while he's 5-0, he's only managed to stop one—journeyman Oscar Leon back in 2009.
Garcia is by no means a one-weapon fighter, though. He has a right hand that is extremely potent, as well as many other assets that will be of use against the southpaw Spence.
Spence-Garcia is going to be an impeccably-fought contest between two main stage players with elite skills and discipline. Spence will try to establish his jab to keep Garcia on the outside, awaiting opportunities to launch attacks that may never come. Garcia, meanwhile, should be working angles and altering his pace to keep Spence from settling into a comfortable groove. Both fighters have the ability to knock the other out, but it's going to take some genius-level maneuvering to get to that point.
Expect a high-level battle between prime top-notch operators with a lot to prove, everything to lose, and a future full of riches and glory to be claimed. This one is most definitely "Must See TV" for fight fans.
For a closer look at Spence vs Garcia, check out our fight night page.
