Robert Garcia believes Errol Spence Jr. never fully recovered from the punishment he absorbed against Terence Crawford, saying the former unified welterweight champion’s legs “were not totally there” during his comeback against Tim Tszyu.
Spence returned to the ring after more than three years away, only to lose a unanimous decision to Tszyu in Australia before announcing his retirement.
Speaking about the performance, Garcia said he wasn’t surprised by what unfolded.
“Coming off, what was it, a little over three years?” Garcia told Fight Hub TV.
“I always said, look, if he’s not coming back to a tune-up fight to see where he’s at, that means he feels that he might not have much left and that’s why he’s going into the big fight, big payday because from what I understand, he made a lot of money.
“I think a tune-up fight would have hurt him and maybe not get to that fight. So, I kind of seen that already happen.”
Garcia then pointed to what he believed was the biggest sign that Spence was no longer the same fighter.
“His legs were not totally there,” Garcia added.
“He still tried, he still fought and went the distance.”
When it was suggested that Spence’s balance looked off throughout the contest, Garcia agreed.
“Yeah, exactly. That happens a lot to fighters that took a beating like he did against Crawford. They’re never able to come back the same.”
Errol Spence Bows Out
It’s well documented what WBN thought of the Spence fight beforehand, and Garcia’s assessment is pretty much bang on.
Who could blame Errol for coming back when he did, taking the payday and exiting the sport when he was going to retire anyway? Forgoing that final purse would have made little sense.
From a business standpoint, it was the smart move and, considering everything Spence had been through over the last five or six years, nobody can begrudge him for making it.
Was it ideal for the fans? Probably not.
But Tim Tszyu now has a solid name on his resume, those Down Under who bought a ticket got to see their man beat a future Hall of Famer, and Spence walked away on his own terms with his health, his family and his finances intact.
Garcia’s comments reinforce what many suspected after watching Spence against Tszyu. The relentless pressure fighter who dominated the welterweight division for years never quite returned after the punishment Terence Crawford handed him in one of boxing’s defining performances.
For Spence, though, there is no shame in that. He earned life-changing money, retired at the top and left the sport surrounded by his family.
After everything he endured inside and outside the ring, that’s a far better ending than many fighters ever get.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
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