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Errol Spence Jr had a long layoff, a frightening automobile accident, and a lot of questions, if not a ton of downright doubts. But he looked good in his first fight since Sept. 2019, beating Danny Garcia by decision in Texas to retain the WBC and IBF welterweight titles.
Spence (27-0, 21 KO) took scores of 116-112, 116-112, and 117-111 to get the win, all of which were fair. Garcia (36-3, 21 KO) gave another very competitive effort, but fell to 0-3 in big, marquee fights as a welterweight, and his future’s got more question marks at the moment than Spence’s does.
The entire boxing world seemed pretty happy to see the 30-year-old Texan not just back in action, but looking good, looking pretty much like his old self, answering the questions about any toll the layoff or the accident may have taken on him.
Here’s what some of the pros had to say on Twitter in the immediate aftermath:
I saw it 8-4. 1 early run. Errol took 2 late rounds off. And then I thought Danny stole the 10th... but I may be bias to the underdog right there ♂️ lol at any rate Both fighters fought hard n strong n Errol showed us THE TRUTH! #SpenceGarcia
— ShowtimeShawn Porter (@ShowtimeShawnP) December 6, 2020
Errol Spence was blessed with another opportunity to fight again. He came back tonight and fought a great fight against a fighter who is respected in the game. Big respect ! Congrats bro.
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) December 6, 2020
The “does he still have it” questions have been answered by @ErrolSpenceJr tonight against a tough opponent in @DannySwift ... but the biggest question remains #spencecrawford?
— Lennox Lewis, CBE, CM (@LennoxLewis) December 6, 2020
-#SpenceGarcia
Welcome back, @ErrolSpenceJr. Congratulations on your victory.
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) December 6, 2020
Good fight happy to see bro back in there. Congrats @ErrolSpenceJr !!!!
— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) December 6, 2020
I’ll bet anyone 150k @ErrolSpenceJr beats @terencecrawford
— Joseph Diaz (@JosephDiazJr) December 6, 2020
Good fight @ErrolSpenceJr. You earned that horse #SpenceGarcia @premierboxing
— Jamel Herring (@JamelHerring) December 6, 2020
@DannySwift was getting nowhere near the credit for the good shit he was doing but def lost to the best fighter in the division tonight
— Tony Harrison (@Iamboxing) December 6, 2020
Congratulations to Josesito puro #RGBA
— Jose Ramirez (@RAMIREZBOXING) December 6, 2020
And congratulations to @ErrolSpenceJr true Champion.
Spence was terrific cant believe the lack of urgency by Garcia surely he knew he was way behind
— Enzo Maccarinelli (@theRealEnzoMac) December 6, 2020
@ErrolSpenceJr out here giving a testimony...He’s fighting and living with a purpose now. When you go through things they either make you or break you.... He’s a made man
— Franchón Crews-Dezurn (@TheHHDiva) December 6, 2020
Overall I’m glad I watch this fight. Felt like a throwback
— Peter Quillin (@KIDCHOCOLATE) December 6, 2020
9-3 Errol Spence. Had Garcia winning 2, 9, & 10. Exactly how o thought itd play out. #SpenceGarcia #boxing #pbconfox
— caleb truax (@GoldenCalebT) December 6, 2020
Great fight
— Melissa St-vil (@Melissastvil8) December 6, 2020
I would like to fight @ErrolSpenceJr vs It will be much performance fight.
— Taras Shelestyuk (@TarasShelestyuk) December 6, 2020
Tonight Danny don’t want to fight with Errol...#SpencevsGarcia #SpenceGarcia
Spence knows how to "BOX" going forward. Everyone thinks you have to move away while boxing but that's not true. Errol boxes going forward. Hard to outpoint him. Good job, nice performance!
— Stephen Edwards (@BreadmanBoxing) December 6, 2020
Welcome back @ErrolSpenceJr
— Mykal(Michael) Fox (@ProfessorMyke) December 6, 2020
Errol’s back!
— Kevin Cunningham (@KCBoxTrainer) December 6, 2020
Congrats @ErrolSpenceJr on an impressive victory tonight, looks like he hasn’t missed a step #SpenceGarcia @FOXSports
— Tom Loeffler (@TomLoeffler1) December 6, 2020
Great fight @ErrolSpenceJr & @DannySwift !!
— Eddie Chambers (@champfasteddie) December 6, 2020