Errol Spence Jr has beaten Mikey Garcia via unanimous decision to retain his IBF welterweight title.
In perhaps the most anticipated bout of 2019 to date, Spence produced a near-flawless performance as he won all 12 rounds to dominate Garcia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Garcia, already a four-weight world champion, stepped up two divisions to challenge for the IBF crown.
The California-born fighter described tonight’s clash as a ‘legacy’ fight, but had no answer to Spence’s superb ring work.
Spence, a 2012 Olympian, dominated the contest from the opening round, outclassing his opponent with his superb shot selection.
The 29-year-old hardly missed with his left and while Garcia showed the heart that has made him one of boxing’s most respected fighters, he could not find the punches to trouble the champion.
Spence, who dominated Kell Brook to take the IBF title in Sheffield in 2017, extends his professional record to 24-0.
After the win, Spence invited Manny Pacquiao, who was ringside watching the fight, into the ring to challenge him for what he hopes will be his next bout.
“He is a legend of the sport, it would be my honour to fight him next,” Spence said in his post-fight interview.
When asked if he would take the fight, Pacquiao responded: “Why not. We will give the fans a good fight."
Earlier on the card, Chris Arreola, a former opponent of Deontay Wilder, returned after almost 18 months away from the ring, stopping Jean Pierre Augustin in the third round.
Luis Nery meanwhile recorded his first win in the United States after dominating McJoe Arroyo, securing a TKO win in the fifth.
