In the last few days of fight week, Mikey Garcia talks to reporters about this weekend’s fight against welterweight champion Errol Spence and why those who are discounting his chances are mistaken. Check out some excerpts below.
On having strong fan turnout for the fight week events:
“It’s very nice to come here and have all the support from the fans, just like I did right now...I believe I have a lot of fans, a lot of people can relate to my family story, to my challenges I’m taking in the ring — that’s why I have a lot of support.”
On fighting on what feels like his home turf with all the Mexican support:
“Well [Spence] is the hometown fighter and I’m sure he’s gonna have a lot of fans, a lot of support. But like I said, I have fans everywhere, my fans travel, and I have a lot of fans here in Dallas, I have a lot of fans in the area. I’ve already won two world titles in the state of Texas, I’m looking for another one, a third title...”
On how he’ll beat Spence:
“Well there’s a lot more to boxing, to winning a fight, than people see. People see the size, the weight, and right away count me out. But there’s a lot more that goes into winning a fight. I got all the tools: I got the speed, I got the reflexes, I got the defense, I have the footwork, the timing. You name it, I have it. And the strength, the size, we’re still yet to find out. Who knows, on Saturday night we’re gonna see — I’m ready to do whatever it takes to win.”
On if he thinks this fight will go the distance:
“Look, I’m ready to go 12 rounds, I’m ready to put pressure, I’m ready to box, I’m ready to counterpunch. Like I said, I’m ready to do whatever it takes to win this fight, I did all my work, all my training and had great camp and I just gotta put everything [together] Saturday night and execute the game plan.”
On how he plans to overcome Spence’s height and reach advantages:
“Well, you’re gonna see on Saturday night...you don’t win fights just by height and size. My last opponent was very tall and had a longer reach and I was able to neutralize all that...I have all the skills I need to win this fight.”