Errol Spence Talks Big, But Can He Back It Up Against Ryan Garcia?

By Jamie Eskdale - 05/08/2024 - Comments

Errol Spence is dismissive about fighting against Ryan Garcia, saying he would beat him at AT&T Stadium, but he doesn’t do “tune-ups.” ,

Pride Before the Fall

Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) isn’t in the position to turn up his nose at the idea of fighting a superstar like Ryan Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs), who would be a bigger fight than any he’s fought during his career. This is fear disguised as pride.

Spence’s attitude seems to suggest that he’s in loser denial about how low his career has sunk since suffering a ninth-round knockout loss to Terence Crawford last July.

Spence is operating like he’s still unbeaten and at the top of his game rather than a fighter who is viewed by many boxing fans as a shell of the guy he was during his best years before inactivity, weight gain, injuries, and a horrifying car crash. All of these things have taken a serious toll on Spence, and everyone can see it.

The Ugly Truth

Fans on social media believe Ryan Garcia would destroy what’s left of Spence, who looked poor in his last two fights against Crawford and Yordenis Ugas. They even believe Devin Haney would beat what’s left of Spence, and that’s pretty bad.

“I’ll legit beat his a** at the [AT&T Stadium at 154-160] off the strength of him testing positive but I [don’t] take tune-ups,” said Errol Spence Jr. on X, reacting to a poster suggesting a fight between him and Ryan Garcia would be big.

Spence needs to look in the mirror because he’s no longer dismissing popular fighters like Ryan, believing he can do better.

Errol Living in the Past

  • The Crawford Curse: That devasting loss to Crawford made it clear that Spence isn’t the fighter he was six years ago when he was ruling the 147-lb division.
  • Post-Crash Struggle: The combination of Errol’s car crash, weight gain, and years of inactivity has done a number on him. Fans can see it even if Spence doesn’t.
  • Big Money Potential: Ryan Garcia is arguably the biggest PPV star in the U.S. This would be a massive fight for Spence and something he really needs right now as his career is in freefall now, heading toward skidrow.