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.”