Errol Spence Jr. returned to boxing on Saturday night, 14 months after he was ejected from his Ferrari in a horrific one-car crash. The biggest question was how the unified welterweight champion would look in his title defense against Danny Garcia.
The answer: smooth and strong, per usual. Spence claimed a unanimous-decision victory at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in front of a crowd of 16,000.
Spence dominated for most of the 12 rounds, taking the energy away from Garcia as the fight progressed. Spence outlanded Garcia 142-79 in Rounds 5 through 12, according to the broadcast, and also caused significant swelling around the left eye of Garcia.
Many around the world of sports and entertainment took to social media to salute Spence (27-0), who is in the discussion for being considered boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighter. Others, meanwhile, gave their suggestion on whom Spence’s next opponent should be.
Champ that’s the way to comeback show out and let them know you’re still @ErrolSpenceJr The Champ! #Truth We love you my brother! That the way to put on for the D.
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) December 6, 2020
I got Spence by unanimous decision
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) December 6, 2020
Yessir Spence!! Glad you back @ErrolSpenceJr
— Julius Randle (@J30_RANDLE) December 6, 2020
Yessir @ErrolSpenceJr welcome back 🏁
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) December 6, 2020
You look different champ in a great way congratulations @ErrolSpenceJr #mandown
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) December 6, 2020
Spence Vs Crawford
— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) December 6, 2020
No more running. Spence vs Crawford
— Brandon King (@BrandonKing4787) December 6, 2020
Great performance by Spence. Danny is true warrior. I love this sport. #SpenceGarcia
— LLCOOLJ (@llcoolj) December 6, 2020
The “does he still have it” questions have been answered by @ErrolSpenceJr tonight against a tough opponent in @DannySwift … but the biggest question remains 👉🏾 #spencecrawford?
–#SpenceGarcia— Lennox Lewis, CBE, CM (@LennoxLewis) December 6, 2020
Welcome back, @ErrolSpenceJr. Congratulations on your victory.
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) December 6, 2020
Good fight happy to see bro back in there. Congrats @ErrolSpenceJr !!!!
— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) December 6, 2020
Errol Spence was blessed with another opportunity to fight again. He came back tonight and fought a great fight against a fighter who is respected in the game. Big respect ! Congrats bro.
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) December 6, 2020
Errol Spence would’ve been a helluva fighter in any era. Now fight Crawford.
— Max Kellerman (@maxkellerman) December 6, 2020
9-3 Errol Spence. Had Garcia winning 2, 9, & 10. Exactly how o thought itd play out. #SpenceGarcia #boxing #pbconfox
— caleb truax (@GoldenCalebT) December 6, 2020
Spence looked GREAT! Throwback 1980’s Welterweight great! 👏🏼🥊
— Sergio Mora (@TheLatinSnake_) December 6, 2020