Errol Spence Jr. was originally scheduled to return to the boxing ring this year but the COVID-19 has forced him to push back his plans. The 30-year-old planned to return sometime in July or August but it appears he may have to settle for a September or October ring return.
It is a more realistic forecast for Spence who continues to recover from a horrific car accident he suffered in October of last year. Most felt it would be wise for him to start with a tune-up fight but the boxing champion feels confident and is good to go. And the next opponent for him could be Danny Garcia, someone he holds high regard, Boxingscene.com reported.
Garcia is the mandatory challenger for Spence's WBC welterweight title and facing him makes plenty of sense. Spence pointed out how it is a high profile fight and something that would fulfill the sanctioning requirements set forth by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman. The 30-year-old mentioned this during an Instagram Live interview.
“Danny Garcia, he’s a very, you know, tough fighter. You know, he’s a guy [who has] accomplished a lot in the sport of boxing. And that’s a fight that makes sense, so I mean, it’s a fight that can happen next,” Spence said.
Looking beyond Spence, he admits that is also interested in facing either Terence Crawford or Manny Pacquiao. Considering however that he has been out of action for quite some time, Spence may have to prove to the camps of both fighters that he is ready to face either. For now, the most feasible opponent is Garcia.
A potential clash with Garcia carries heavy implications. For one, critics question the level of conditioning he is incoming from that car accident back in October. The last time he fought was on Sept. 28, 2019, winning via split decision over Shawn Porter to win the WBC welterweight title. He also successfully retained the IBF title at the time.
If the fight does get set, Spence will use the criticism hurled his way as added motivations. He remains undefeated in 26 fights, 21 coming from knockouts.
"So, that’s just added motivation for myself and it fuels me, and it makes me work way harder. And I do get on YouTube or see the tweets on Twitter, what people have been saying because it’s added motivation for me. It makes me work harder,” Spence said.
