Having walked away from a horror car crash last October, fighting must seem like the easy part for double world welterweight champion Errol Spence, who this weekend boxes dangerous Danny Garcia in Texas (đź“şSuperSport Variety 1 and Grandstand channel, 4am Sunday).
Spence flipped his Ferrari and suffered severe facial injuries, although he has recovered to the point where he believes he can box just as well as ever.
Despite claims of being among the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, Spence has still opted for a tough comeback in the shape of Garcia, who has held championships in two weight classes and is one of the toughest welterweight contenders on the block.
Garcia is a handful for any of the boxers in the talent-laden division and even his two losses were razor-thin decisions against elite-level opposition.
Spence is that rarest of boxers; a fighter who can do anything: box, punch or slug, even with the best in the game. Unbeaten in 26 outings, he’s scored 21 stoppages along the way, having beaten several top-quality men, among them Shawn Porter, Mikey Garcia and Kell Brook.
Garcia will come in the smaller man, but he’s a smart, experienced boxer who will make Spence pay if he is in any way under-prepared for what is shaping as a compelling showdown.
“I picked Danny Garcia because he’s a tough opponent with a granite chin. He’s always in tough, close fights. He’s going to bring the best out of me,” said Spence at his recent virtual media workout.
“If I took a tune-up fight, I wouldn’t be as focused or dedicated as I am right now. I know Danny’s dad is pushing him to take my belts in my hometown. So I’m staying focused to make sure that doesn’t happen.”