Garcia was just a pawn in Haymons big plan to turn Spence into a PPV star.
Ok i said that long ago, when Mikey suddenly called out Spence, that was all initiated by Al Haymon. It was Haymons plan from the beginning.
Spence is a good fighter, and maybe the most talented and gifted fighter in the whole PBC stable.
Haymon pays his fighters good money, theres probably alot of fighters that dont even break even and turn out to be a loss for Haymon, but if he can build 1-2 PPV superstars ala Mayweather, from his stable, it has all paid off eventually.
Spence was Haymons chosen one. Who can help turn Spence into a PPV fighter? Oh lets look at Floyd, how did Floyd become big?? Oh yeah Oscar, we need a Mexican fighter, the mexican fans buy the most PPVs and are the most loyal boxing fans. The only good fighter around Spences weightclass, that Haymon had connection to was Mikey Garcia.
So he met Mikey and made him an offer he couldnt refuse and told him how it was a Win/Win situation for Mikey, that he could become the biggest star in the sport by beating Spence, and if not, he could still fight Loma or other champs at 135-147 since losing to Spence is not so bad, so Haymon paid Mikey a ton of money + PPV upside and Mikey toook it.
The fight got promoted very well, many people actually believe Mikey had a chance, which is weird, but it happened, even on this forum.
Spence fought well and won, sadly no knockout, but still a good performance, some of the Garcia fans will probably turn over and become Spence fans.
Next step (end of 2019) Manny Pacquiao
Haymon will pay Manny a boatload of money to fight Spence and Manny probably wont turn it down, we see the fight next. Spence again gets a major exposure vs a legend and he himself becomes a bigger draw. Haymon to sign Pacquiao and pay him good money was also part of his plans for Spence.
Manny will do better than Garcia, but at 40 years and with the huge size disparity, even if the fight goes to the cards, Haymon has Spence covered and there is no way he loses a decision to Manny, who already lost to Jeff Horn a couple years ago.
Next step (2020) Porter and Thurman
Both Thurman and Porter will try to keep their belts until they have to face Spence eventually. Both of them are not as big of a draw as Mikey, but still decent opponents.
Thanks to his win over 40 year old Pacquiao and Mikey Garcia, Spence already has built his own fanbase and can carry the PPV.
Spence is the huge favorite vs both and beats both fighters.
Next step (2021) move up to 154
No, Spence wont fight Crawford, that fight is too dangerous and Haymon cannot control the fight nor the opponent, also Spence will have problems making 147 and he can easily fight for a vacant belt at 154 because Hurt moved up or he fights another Haymon fighter that holds a belt at 154.
I mean its quite obvious isnt it? The plan is to create a new PPV fighter that brings in the big money to cover losses that other, less popular fighters cause. It's not really about best fighting the best, its about planning your career and move your fighters away from the highest risks.