IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol Spence Jr. and four-division world titlist Mikey Garcia went face to face at the initial press conference for their March 16 showdown on FOX PPV.
They say everything is bigger in Texas, making it the perfect location for the biggest fight of 2019 thus far.
On Saturday, March 16, IBF welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr. takes on four-division titlist Mikey Garcia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in the first ever PBC on FOX pay-per-view.
Less than 30 days away from fight night, the two undefeated pound-for-pounders faced off at Saturday’s inaugural press conference in Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live. In an unprecedented move, the event was televised live on FOX.
The fighters may have been in California, but that didn’t stop Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones from ensuring they both received Cowboys jerseys as they prepare to do battle in the house that he built.
“This is something I’ve been waiting for my whole life,” said Spence, (24-0, 21 KOs). “I’m focused and prepared for this challenge. It’s going to be all eyes on me and Mikey in that ring and I can’t wait.”
“This is history in the making,” Garcia added. “I’m trying to establish a great legacy. This is the kind of fight that I need. I know my fans are going to show up and give me a lot of support. This fight truly excites me and motivates.”
Garcia, the current WBC world lightweight belt-holder, will be climbing two divisions to take on the hard-hitting 147-pound champion, Spence. To this end, he’s been working with famed nutritionist Victor Conte at Conte’s SNAC (Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning) in San Carlos, CA.
“The training that we did in the Bay Area definitely helped me,” said Garcia (39-0, 30 KOs). “We are going up in weight and needed to do a different type of training. We wanted to make sure that we gained a little bit of mass so that I can be able to hold off Errol Spence’s weight and strength.”
Spence, who grew up in neighboring DeSoto, Texas, says it won’t make a difference on fight night.
“ It’s going to be all eyes on me & Mikey in that ring and I can’t wait. ” IBF Welterweight World Champion — Errol Spence Jr.
“I train old school so I don’t worry about how Mikey is planning to get stronger at the weight,” said the welterweight champion. “I’m not worried about it and I don’t think it will make a difference in the fight. I’m just going to focus on what I have to do to be at my best.
“Size always matters, but when you get in there, at the end of the day, it’s about skills and intelligence. I’m not going to rely on size. I’m going to focus on my talent. If I can roll through him, then I’ll show my killer instinct and try to get him out of there. I’m going to use my ability to break him down.”
Spence is the betting favorite because of the supposed size advantage. Nevertheless, he’s preparing for what he believes is a serious challenge from a great fighter.
“Mikey is undefeated, has a great skill set and has won a title at 140-pounds. I don’t see him as that small a fighter. He has a technical style that’s very traditional. He likes to use angles to set his opponent’s up.
“We’re focused on what I can do and what our game plan is. I always spar the same people no matter what because they get me into the condition I need to be in and they have me primed for any challenge."
Garcia, on the other hand, believes he’s spotted some holes in Spence’s game that he can exploit.
“When I saw him fight Lamont Peterson, I decided that Errol Spence Jr. was the fight I wanted one day,” Garcia recalled. “People tried to talk me out of it, but now they’re all on board. People have now started to see what I’m going to be capable of on March 16.
“I want the best Errol Spence Jr. I know he’s a great fighter with a lot of skills and talent. He hasn’t needed to use all his skills, just like me. He does everything well, but nothing spectacular. I just feel like I’m the better fighter. I think I have the advantage everywhere except maybe power, but we’ll find out on fight night.”
For a closer look at Spence vs Garcia, check out our fight page.
