Spence: I proved I’m back and here to stay
Errol Spence Jr came back strong with his win over Danny Garcia.
Errol Spence Jr retained the WBC and IBF titles on Saturday night, beating Danny Garcia by decision at AT&T Stadium near his home in Texas, and more importantly, showed no ill effects from a terrible car accident late in 2019 which threatened more than just his career.
Spence (27-0, 21 KO) was proud of his performance and his return in general, and credited a strong jab with leading him to victory.
“It was just common sense, basically. I was the taller person, he had the shorter arms, and I’ve always had a great jab, so that’s what we worked on,” he said at his post-fight press conference. “We worked on using the jab, setting everything up with the jab, and basically just out-pointing him. I think Lennox Lewis would be really proud of me using my jab the way I did.”
Spence, 30, said he had no worries about how he’d take a punch in the fight, and that he wasn’t surprised that he held up as good as always.
“I had a 10 or 12 week training camp where I was sparring,” he said. “I was taking punches in sparring, I wasn’t surprised at being able to take a punch in the fight. It was something I’ve been taking, and I always had a great chin.”
“I’d give myself a B,” he said, grading his effort. “I think I had a little bit of ring rust in there, but I was in such great shape and had a great training camp and took everything serious, to where I could not be discouraged by having ring rust. Just working my jab, using my angles and boxing, that was the best move, and that’s what I did.”
Spence mentioned no names, basically ignored a question about Terence Crawford, and didn’t give any indication what’s next. For now, he said, he will go home, spend time with his family, and take some time off after a long year. He also said that just getting out there again was a reward in itself.
“I was super excited. This is my home. It was a lifelong dream of mine to be a household name in Dallas, and now I’m a household name,” Spence said. “I was smiling because it was a long, long road to come back, a lot of sacrifice and buckling down, staying focused, and trials and tribulations to get to this point. They say everything happens for a reason, and I feel like I’m here for a reason.
“I proved I’m back and I’m here to stay, and I’m the unified champion of the world.”