AT&T Stadium, Dallas, March 16
TV: Fox Pay-Per-View
By Peter Lim
It's often tempting to root for the little guy in David-versus-Goliath matchups. Given that Mikey Garcia, at just 5-foot-6 is a smallish lightweight and Errol Spence Jr., at just under 5-foot-10 is a big welterweight, this is exactly what it is.
Common sense prevails over any wishful thinking in this case. Spence's advantage in size, strength and punching power is just too much for Garcia to overcome. What, on paper looks like an intriguing and scintillating matchup, turns out to be a mismatch.
Garcia attempts to box in the early goings but his jab, formidable as it might be at the lower weights, won't back Spence up and the create openings he seeks. Spence answers with his longer, stiffer southpaw jab that jolts Garcia's head back, denying him the opportunity to establish any kind of rhythm. When Garcia manages to land a clean punch, Spence absorbs it effortlessly and returns fire with a vengeance.
By the fourth round, the writing is on the wall; Garcia had not only severely underestimated Spence's strength but also his skill level and ring IQ. Garcia valiantly increases his punch volume by flurrying but Spence stands his ground, and makes Garcia pay with pinpoint counter punches from different angles upstairs and down. With Garcia battered and bloodied, his corner wisely decides to not let him answer the bell for the eighth round.
