DeSoto Native Errol Spence Jr. Set For 1st Title Fight Since Violent Car Crash
ARLINGTON, Texas (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Welterweight boxing champion and DeSoto native Errol Spence Jr. is set for his first title fight since avoiding serious injury in a violent car crash in Dallas last year.
Spence and Danny Garcia are scheduled to fight Dec. 5 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, where Spence defended his IBF title by beating Mikey Garcia in early 2019. The Dallas Cowboys say they are planning to have fans for the event.
In September 2019, Spence added the WBC welterweight title to his IBF strap with a thrilling split-decision victory over Shawn Porter in Los Angeles.
A month later, after beating Porter, Spence flipped his Ferrari while speeding on a Dallas street in the early morning hours. Spence was ejected but didn't sustain any broken bones or fractures and was treated for facial lacerations.
Spence was charged with driving while intoxicated after the crash.
Spence has twice defended his IBF title near his hometown of DeSoto. One of the title defenses was against Carlos Ocampo in the 12,000-seat indoor football stadium that's part of team headquarters for the Cowboys in Frisco, about 30 miles north of Dallas.
The 30-year-old Spence, a 2012 U.S. Olympian, is 26-0 with 21 knockouts.
Garcia most recently earned a 12-round decision over Ivan Redkach in New York in January. The 32-year-old Philadelphia native is a two-division champion with a 36-2 record. Garcia also has 21 knockouts.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
