By Jake Donovan

You have to hand it to Errol Spence. The unbeaten welterweight remained in positive spirits, even in the face of his planned NBC debut potentially taking a major it.

On deck for the 2012 U.S. Olympic boxer was a crossroads bout with resurgent Roberto Garcia, scheduled to serve as the chief support of a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event will feature Adrien Broner facing Shawn Porter in a catchweight battle between former titlists from Ohio that will air live on NBC (Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET).

But Garcia withdrew on Wednesday, citing personal issues.

As BoxingScene.com Editor-in-Chief Rick Reeno reported Wednesday night, Canada's Phil Lo Greco was being sought as a late replacement to help maintain Spence's place on the telecast. The fight was finalized Thursday morning after receiving approval from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Despite a new opponent with a totally different fighting style, it remains business as usual for the fighting Texan.

“I’m just ready to fight. I want to weigh-in, get some food in my stomach and get in that ring," Spence (16-0, 13KOs) commented. "I’m on weight already, it’s been a long, eight-week training camp so we’re one hundred percent ready."

The bout will mark the first free network appearance for Spence, regarded by many as perhaps the best prospect from the 2012 U.S. Olympic male boxing team. The group that fought in the London Olympics came home empty-handed, the first time in history a U.S. boxing team failed to medal. 

Spence lasted deeper than anoyne else from Team USA, even breathing new life into USA's chances after a second-round loss was overturned upon a successful appeal. However, he missed out on making the medal round after dropping a decision to Russia's Andrey Zamkovoy in the quarterfinal round, one fight short of advancing to the medal round.

The letdown in London hasn't deterred the southpaw from Texas to making his mark in the pro ranks. His past several ring appearances have taken place on regional cable or on the undercards of prominent events.

Now that his team—which includes powerful adviser Al Haymon—secured an appropriate opponent in time, the expectation from the 25-year old is delivering a performance that leaves fans satisfied and anxiously awaiting his next fight.

“Fighting on NBC, on my biggest card to date, it’s really big for me and I have to perform so that I can get back on NBC and be the main event next time,” notes Spence.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox