With Fox heavily investing in Premier Boxing Champions, the network opted to air a press conference for the upcoming pay-per-view bout between Errol Spence Jr. and Mikey Garcia.
The two world champions met in Los Angeles and spoke to the media ahead of their fight for the IBF welterweight title. The press conference aired live on Fox at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles hours before a PBC on Fox card headlined by a WBA featherweight world title fight took place.
Spence touched on finding the right kind of fighter to challenge him after becoming the IBF welterweight champion in 2017. Spence admitted that he wasn't entirely sure Garcia was serious about making the fight a reality, but was excited for the matchup once it did become official.
"At first I thought he was just chasing my name when he was calling me out. Once it became real, I saw how serious he was. At that point I was very confident it would happen... I'm happy that someone is challenging me. I've been looking for an opponent like him. He's established himself in this sport. I'm happy to be able to take on this challenge. I'm looking for a skillful Mikey Garcia to bring the best out of me on March 16," Spence said.
As for Garcia, he is currently looking to become the next boxer to win a world title in five weight classes. Garcia is being tabbed as the underdog by many considering that he is the one moving up two weight classes for this bout, but he said he doesn't really look at himself as an underdog.
"These are the kinds of challenges I want. I need someone like Errol Spence Jr., with his demeanor and style, to bring the best out of me. I want the world to finally see the full Mikey Garcia... Even though some people believe I'm the underdog, I don't see myself that way. I'm undefeated and I think Errol knows that I pose a challenge. It's no easy task for either one of us. This is the fight that I need for my legacy," Garcia said.
Below are highlights of the press conference complied by lead boxing reporter Carlos Toro, which features appearances from Hall of Famer Thomas "Hitman" Hearns and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones:
I’m really happy that Fox is airing this press conference between Errol Spence Jr. and Mikey Garcia. Shows commitment to the sport of boxing. How often did we see other networks do this before big fights let alone pay-per-view fights? #SpenceGarcia
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Fox Sports 1 will have a #SpenceGarcia PPV preshow starting at 7:30 p.m. ET followed by a prelim card at 8 p.m. ET. The PPV card itself will start at 9 p.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/PW4s7s2hhp
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Thomas “Hitman” Hearns is introduced by Jimmy Lennon Jr. here at the #SpenceGarcia press conference on Fox.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Mikey Garcia comes out first joined by brother Robert Garcia #SpenceGarcia
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Errol Spence Jr. comes out next and he and Mikey Garcia have a quick face-off. #SpenceGarcia
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Both men say they are excited for the opportunity to fight at AT&T Stadium on March 16 #SpenceGarcia
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Mikey Garcia said he’s in search of legacy, greatness and a fight against Errol Spence Jr. will bring the best out of him. #SpenceGarcia
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones joins the press conference via satellite. Jones said AT&T Stadium is built for boxing events like these. Calls it an excellent way to feel the blows and that the area is great for boxing fans. #SpenceGarcia
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Jerry Jones on why fans should buy tickets to #SpenceGarcia: You’ll see a fight with outstanding champions involved and you don’t see it often and watching the fight at AT&T Stadium is an experience other venues can’t match. Jones sends both fighters personalized Cowboys choices.
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Robert Garcia: Other fighters have won titles at 5 weight classes. Mikey has the skills, the power and IQ to beat Errol Spence Jr. and win the IBF welterweight title on March 16 #SpenceGarcia
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Mikey Garcia says he doesn’t see himself as the underdog and that Errol Spence Jr. doesn’t see him as the underdog either. The challenge of fighting Spence is what motivates him #SpenceGarcia
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Errol Spence Jr. said the most dangerous thing about Mikey Garcia is how fundamentally sound he is. Added that something he respects about Mikey is that he is willing to take the challenge and move up in weight to face Spence. #SpenceGarcia
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Mikey Garcia said Errol Spence Jr. reminds him a bit of himself. He doesn’t do anything flashy but does everything well. Garcia said he respects Spence’s size and power #SpenceGarcia
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
Errol Spence Jr. and Mikey Garcia take a picture holding their Dallas Cowboys jerseys alongside Cowboys cheerleaders and Thomas Hearns #SpenceGarcia pic.twitter.com/4219YcwPHy
— Carlos Toro (@CarlosToro360) February 16, 2019
The fight between Spence and Garcia will take place on March 16 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on pay-per-view.
