Errol Spence speaks on defending his welterweight title against Mikey Garcia in his home state of Texas.

IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence (24-0, 21KOs) will make his third title defense against Mikey Garcia (39-0, 30KOs) at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Mar. 16. Spence, who was born in Dallas, looks forward to the challenge in his home state of Texas.

“I’m very excited, this is the stage I’ve been looking for,” said Spence. “This is the stage I’ve been wanting since the start of my career. This is what I worked hard for. To be fighting on pay-per-view, you know, FOX pay-per-view. And just a big stage like this, fighting in my hometown at the Cowboys Stadium against a guy like Mikey Garcia.”

Garcia is a four-division champion, having held titles at featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight, and junior welterweight. He will move up in weight for the title challenge against Spence, who is ranked #1 on ESPN’s welterweight rankings. ESPN also has Garcia ranked at #5, and Spence at #6 on their top 10 pound-for-pound fighters list.

“I think this is the most anticipated fight of this year,” said Spence. “This is gonna be a great fight, and all the boxing fans have to tune in. Even if you’re a casual boxing fan, it’s gonna be great.”

Spence won the IBF welterweight title in May 2017, when he traveled to then welterweight champion Kell Brook’s hometown of Sheffield, England; and defeated him by 11th-round KO. Spence holds stoppages over Lamont Peterson and Carlos Ocampo in two title defenses since then.

Garcia’s resume includes victories over former champions Orlando Salido, Juan Manuel Lopez, Roman Martinez, and Adrien Broner. Spence credits Garcia’s accomplishments in the ring, but also assures that Garcia has not been in the ring with anyone of his caliber.

“He’s (Garcia) 39-0, but none of them say Errol Spence Jr. on his record,” said Spence. “I know he hasn’t faced a fighter like me, with my ability, my skills; and my talent. So I’m not worried about his resume, his experience, or anything like that. I got pedigree, so I feel like I’m here and I’m meant for this moment.”

The 2012 U.S. olympian has also been following Garcia for some time, and feels that he has a good understanding of his fighting style.

“Like I always say, I’m a boxing fan first,” said Spence. “And I’ve always been a boxing fan. I don’t have to watch tape of Mikey Garcia, cause I’ve been watching Mikey Garcia; even not knowing I was gonna fight him. I’ve been watching him since he was at 126 (pounds).”