Errol Spence Jr. put on a dazzling display of boxing skills in whitewashing Mikey Garcia over 12 rounds on Saturday night. The welterweight title fight pitted two previously undefeated fighters against each other in a pay-per-view showdown, but the issue was decided early on. Official scores were 120-108, 120-108 and 120-107.
InTheCorner.net scored the fight 119-109 for Spence Jr. (25-0, 21 KO’s).
The defending welterweight champion gave Garcia (39-1, 30 KO’s) just about nothing to aim for from the opening bell. Garcia, a tactician and multi-division champion, had all kinds of problems getting off any attack as Spence Jr. worked a jab relentlessly and seemed to always be in an offensive posture. Garcia’s only success came in isolated moments where he rushed in and landed shots against the retreating champion.
But Spence Jr. quickly turned the tide back in his favor each time. Final punch stat numbers were absurd: 345 punches landed by Spence Jr. vs. just 75 by Garcia.
Errol Spence Jr. pumped his jab, threw precision shots with both hands and seemed to be an impossible target for Garcia for most of the fight. Garcia fell behind early and needed desperately to rally but Spence Jr. gave him very few opportunities. Behind on all the cards, Garcia spent more time in a defensive posture than firing off shots.
Mikey Garcia moved up two weight classes for this fight and really didn’t have much to lose. The biggest risk was serious injury, and it looked at times that the beating was going in that direction. But to suffer his first loss at the hands of a much bigger fighter who is one of the dominant fighters in the sport, his stock can’t be affected too badly.
Errol Spence Jr. may have had his true coming-out party tonight. Those who follow boxing know he is most likely the cream of the crop in a deeply talented welterweight division. But to headline an event with over 47,000 people in the seats at AT&T Stadium, including stars and legendary athletes, speaks to Spence Jr.’s standing as a star. Garcia certainly sold his share of tickets, but Spence Jr. owned the night.
It was a great night for boxing with Jerry Jones hosting, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott by his side, and a who’s-who of boxing legends including Evander Holyfield and Manny Pacquaio sprinkled throughout the expensive seats. Errol Spence Jr. capitalized to the fullest by showing his incredible repertoire of boxing skills for all of the 12 rounds and making a highly skilled opponent look completely lost.
