It will be a night of firsts on Saturday, March 16, 2019 as unbeaten IBF Welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and undefeated four-division champion Mikey Garcia will square in a scheduled 12-round champion fight.
Spence vs. Garcia is undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated and intriguing matches in boxing as Garcia moves up two weight classes to face the boogeyman of the 147-pound division, Spence Jr.
“Errol Spence Jr. versus Mikey Garcia is one of the most intriguing fights of the year,” said Bill Wanger, EVP of Programming, Live Operations and Research, FOX Sports.
This will be Premier Boxing Champions on Fox’s first foray into pay-per-view and unless there is a draw, one of these elite fighters will walk away with their first professional loss.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Errol Spence Jr. vs. Mikey Garcia and let us know who you think will win.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Errol Spence Jr. vs. Mikey Garcia
Jason Janik/FOX Sports
Andrew Kang, Staff Writer
I am so excited this fight is now just days away! One of the best matchups of the year pitting two of the best pound-for-pound greats in the game today.
I see a close match early, but I believe Errol Spence Jr.’s edge in strength and power will eventually take its toll on Mikey Garcia.
Spence Jr. will do damage by mid rounds and the pressure he applies on Garcia will force a late-rounds stoppage or clear decision victory. A classic case of the good big man beating the good little man.
Prediction: Spence Jr.
Joshua Diaz, Staff Writer
Errol Spence Jr. vs. Mikey Garcia will bring out the best in each other on Saturday night.
Spence Jr. will put on a dominant performance, and eventually be the first fighter to stop Mikey Garcia.
Prediction: Spence Jr.
Hans Themistode, Staff Writer
Errol Spence Jr. is bigger and stronger than Mikey Garcia. If Kell Brook and Lamont Peterson couldn’t stand up to his punching power then what chance does Mikey Garcia have?
I’m going with Mikey Garcia by decision.
Sounds crazy I know, but Garcia is taking on the biggest and baddest man he can find. There’s something about him that makes me think he’s gonna win. It won’t be by knockout and he’ll have some tough stretches, but Garcia’s gonna win this damn fight!
Prediction: Garcia
Julio Sanchez, Photographer
Prediction: Garcia
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
The saying goes that “a good big man beats a good little man.” This saying also came to be when there were only eight weight divisions and one champion per division.
I have read many people writing that Errol Spence Jr. will destroy Mikey Garcia, however a look at Spence’s resume does not suggest anyone reminiscent of boxing’s Murderer’s Row (if you don’t know what that is, look it up. You will be happy you did).
Not many people gave Sugar Ray Leonard much of a chance in his Middleweight maiden voyage against the Beast of the North East, Marvin Hagler and he proved himself in a very competitive fight in which many thought he would not survive the distance.
Yes, Garcia is jumping two divisions from his last fight, however he dominated Adrien Broner at Super Lightweight, which is only a few pounds from welterweight.
I am reluctantly choosing Spence Jr., but this fight is not as cut and dried as many suggest.
Spence Jr. will not stop Mikey Garcia and will be very fortunate to escape with a narrow decision victory. Garcia will bring the smoke.
Prediction: Spence Jr.
R.L. Woodson
Salute to Team Garcia for being courageous enough to push for this fight, and to make a real U.S. PPV-worthy event–however ill-advised the decision may prove to be.
Per the obvious physical advantages combined with Errol Spence Jr.’s superior athleticism and well-rounded game, I don’t see the real estate where Mikey Garcia can dominate the action for spells.
We knew the flaws in Adrien Broner’s game that made AB a great pick for Garcia’s foray into the 140-pound waters. Those weaknesses just don’t exist in Spence’s game at 147 pounds.
If Garcia makes it through Round 6-7, I wonder how he feels physically with his heavier SNAC-tuned body in Rounds 9-12. Spence decisively.
Prediction: Spence Jr.
CJ Halloran, Staff Writer
I’m not gonna lie, I think Mikey Garcia is slightly overrated. Do not misunderstand me, he is a top 10 pound-for-pound contender, but he thinks a bit too highly of himself and his worth.
It showed when he chose to move up in a weight class against the most dangerous Welterweight, and I think the rest of the world will realize that come fight night.
That being said, I think he will do well in the early stages of the fight, but the weight transition paired with Spence Jr.’s body work will be too much for Garcia. I’ve got Spence in eight.
Prediction: Spence Jr.
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
Honestly, I’m just glad we get to witness two top-tier talents face off. Mikey Garcia has a significant edge in experience, but Errol Spence Jr. has major advantages in size and reach.
While I do believe Garcia will make Spence Jr. respect his power early on, Spence Jr. will be too much for the smaller, four-division world champion. Spence Jr. will eventually overwhelm and break Garcia down en route to a late-round stoppage.
Regardless, much respect to Garcia for leaping two weight classes and daring to be great, win or lose.
Prediction: Spence Jr.
Alex Burgos, Staff Writer
Things have been slowly heating up during fight week because let’s face it, these two gentlemen (especially Errol Spence Jr.) are tired of answering the same old questions. Let’s get it on already!
Spence Jr. snapped at Mikey Garcia during the final press conference on Wednesday and told him to, “keep that same energy” when he enters the ring on Saturday night.
Oddly enough, I’ve been telling anyone who will listen that the only way Spence Jr. loses this fight is if HE doesn’t keep his normal in-ring energy.
How many times have we seen two elite fighters get into the ring and then things suddenly change on us, or more accurately, things get harder for the fighters. I believe if Spence Jr. comes out tentative and attempts to outbox Garcia and be cute, he could be setting himself up for disaster. He needs to be the same, come-forward, aggressive, destructive and intimidating Errol Spence Jr.
That guy is The Truth.
Garcia gets huge props for even contemplating this feat and if he somehow pulls it off he’ll prove that he’s a generational talent. But, I don’t and can’t see Garcia beating Spence by any way, shape or form.
Prediction: Spence Jr.
