Derrick James praises Mikey Garcia’s skills as a fighter, but tells Fanatics View that Errol Spence can prove he’s better.

Derrick James, trainer of IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence, is unfazed by the atmosphere that will surround them at the at the AT&T Stadium. Spence will look to defend his title for the third time against Mikey Garcia, in front of a crowd unlike any other in his career.

“You just tell him ‘don’t think about it,'” said James. “Just focus on what we do here everyday, don’t worry about the big picture. And that’s just the key element. Just focus on the big picture, not so much about the fans, the fanfare, the arena, the stage. This is the same stage everyday.”

James eyes the undisputed unified welterweight crown for Spence, as he tells Fanatics View “Yes, without a doubt; no doubt.” There are other champions at welterweight who Spence would like a shot at, such as Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter and Manny Pacquiao. But James’ current focus is on getting his fighter prepared for Garcia, rather than future opponents.

“I don’t wanna talk about what’s next, I wanna talk about Mikey Garcia,” said James. “The day that you overlook a guy is the day that something happens that, you know, wouldn’t want to happen. So my focus is on Mikey.”

Garcia has stated that he believes he’s better than Spence with speed, intelligence, and other fundamentals. James likes Garcia’s skills inside the ring, but feels that Spence has to show him otherwise when they meet for the championship title.

“I like him (Garcia), I’m a fan of his,” said James. “I think he is faster, I think he is smart, strong. I think he is all those things that he believes he is. But that’s why I want boxing to show him something different. He beat a lot of the best guys, so why wouldn’t he think he’s the best? So I think it’s up to us to show him different, to make him believe different.”

The 2017 Ring Magazine Trainer of the year also thinks that Garcia’s older brother and trainer, Robert Garcia, has done a good job with his fighters.

“He’s (Robert) great man, two-time trainer of the year,” said James. “I mean come on man, I’m trying to get my second.”