Mikey Garcia will officially move up two weight classes to challenge the IBF welterweight champion, Errol Spence Jr. The fight, which takes place March 16 at AT & T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was announced Tuesday.
The WBC lightweight Garcia (39-0-0, 30 KOs) is nevertheless seen as the great neglected in this fight despite the fact that he is among the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.
“I wanted this fight with Spence. I am proud to get this type of fights. Getting this kind of fight takes a while and sometimes we have to face criticism, but eventually the fight will be.” Garcia said.
“I have always looked for this fight because I want to leave a legacy, I want my name to be etched in history and my name to be in boxing books, and that’s why I have so much wanted this fight. It will finally take place and I am very proud of it.
“At this point in my career, I’ve accomplished a lot, but I’m always motivated. I want to do more. I want to achieve even more and leave my name engraved in the story – and that’s why I have long sought this fight.” Garcia added.
Garcia began calling Spence (24-0-0, 21 KOs) out before he unified lightweight belts in a lopsided win over Robert Easter Jr. in July. He will therefore jump two weight divisions and will go from the category of 135 lbs to that of 147 lbs to challenge his fellow Spence.
“This is the most dangerous fight possible for me, but I think I have enough resources to win, to beat Spence and leave another footprint in boxing.” Garcia said.
Mikey Garcia holds his WBC lightweight belt. (Source:www.skysports.com)
“Of course, he’s bigger than me, he’s a natural welterweight. I started in the featherweight at 126 lbs, and now I’m going up to 147 lbs.
“It may sound crazy, but I have a lot of skills, I trust my abilities as a boxer, my technique, my strategy with my father and my brother (Eduardo and Robert), the experience they have as coaches and me as a boxer – there is no better than them, they are the best ones that exist and that’s why I’m confident in taking this fight, and I know that I have everything, it takes to win this fight,” Garcia added.
