The winner of the upcoming welterweight title fight between Errol Spence Jr. and Mikey Garcia will make a strong argument for being the best pound-for-pound boxer today.
Given Garcia's resume as a four-division champion and status as a slight underdog heading to his fight against Spence, a win would certainly put him atop many people's lists. In a recent conference call, Garcia talked about what it would mean to him become boxing's best fighter and said his goal has always been to fight the best no matter what, even if it means moving up two weight classes as Garcia is doing for this upcoming fight.
"Well, look, when I took on this fight and I wanted to get this fight, I was not doing it for any reason other than to prove to everybody that I'm the best and that I can fight anybody and I'm not scared to fight anybody even in the welter division. I'm going to move into welterweight and just be considered one of the best. And if that puts me number one fighter in town then that's extra another accolade. But there is no other fighter doing what I'm doing," Garcia said.
Garcia talked about his constant movement across different weight classes and added that since he is the only one actually winning titles in different weight classes in such a short time span, he is proving to everyone that he is a true pound-for-pound boxer.
"There is no other fighter moving up in weight and back down and back up and keeping weight classes, fighting champions, undefeated champion. No other fighter is doing that. So I mean, when you talk about pound-for-pound well I'm actually proving it. I'm doing it in different divisions. So I mean that's kind of why people will remember me for, that I was willing to fight anybody in any division. Whether you put me number 1 pound-for-pound or not everybody has an opinion but there is no one else doing what I'm doing," Garcia said.
It was at that point in the conference call that Ringstar Sports promoter Richard Schaefer came in and chimed in to further expand on Garcia's answer. At a previous conference call, Schaefer said the winner of Spence vs. Garcia will be the top pound-for-pound boxer in the world today. Schaefer said on this particular conference call that a win for either boxer is enough of a resume booster where he had to be considered the best fighter in the sport.
"I think it's important when you look at the fact that Spence and Garcia are both right now top five pound-for-pound fighters, they are both undefeated, they are both champions. And there is no other pound-for-pound fighter who really has a signature win like Garcia would have if he beats or Spence would have if he beats Garcia. These are two prime fighters in their absolute prime and I think that is what will elevate them - the winner of this fight to pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world and that's why I do call it the coronation in Dallas," Schaefer said.
Spence vs. Garcia for the IBF welterweight title will headline a PBC on Fox pay-per-view from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 16. You can check out Garcia's and Schaefer's comments in the video at the top of the page.
