In a brilliant career that almost got derailed by a contract dispute with his former promoter, Top Rank, Mikey Garcia earned a convincing unanimous victory over Adrien Broner at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. The judges in ring side scored the fight, 117-111, 116-112, and 116-112 for Garcia, Forbes reported.
Mickey Garcia is back in the limelight
In only his third fight after a two-and-half year layoff due to the contract dispute, Mikey Garcia took control early in his bout against Adrien Borner. Broner (33-3), a four-time world champion at four different weight classes himself, hardly looked his record as Garcia looked dominant throughout the fight.
The current WBC lightweight champion won the WBC Diamond Belt super lightweight championship, a manufactured title for special bouts such as this.
Garcia was always a step ahead in their 140-pound fight. Garcia looked sharp, in control, and aggressive throughout the fight while Broner seemed clueless in the ring, unable to catch his opponent. “It was a ‘Tom & Jerry’ fight,” Broner said after the fight. LA Times reported. “I had to catch the mouse,” added Broner who, despite the loss, is still a top prospect both in the light welterweight and welterweight divisions.
But clearly, Broner couldn’t catch Garcia all night. Garcia’s comfortable victory allowed him to raise his record to 37-0 with 30 KO’s.
What’s next for Mikey Garcia?
Mikey Garcia knew he had to look impressive against Adrien Broner, especially if he wants to get back on track with his career. Garcia has said before that he needs to take risky fights to be able to fast-track his rise in the sport he used to dominate before his involuntary sabbatical. And he looked impressive against Broner.
Earlier this year, Garcia knocked out previously unbeaten and erstwhile WBC World lightweight champion Dejan Zlaticanin at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a fight broadcast on Showtime. Garcia’s first fight back had him facing against former featherweight champ Elio Rojas at a catchweight of 138 pounds.
Now that he had 3 quality wins against 3 quality opponents, and has stopped 19 of the last 21 fighters he fought, Garcia is looking to cash in and continue the revival of his career.
He is still a world champion in the lightweight division and could face Jorge Linares to determine who is the world’s best 135-pound boxer.
It will also be an intriguing match up if Garcia is to face Terence Crawford (31-0, 22 KOs) at 140 pounds. Crawford is set to square off against Julius Indongo on August 19, 2017.
Garcia is reportedly willing to fight anyone, whether it’s at 135 pounds, 140 pounds, or 147 pounds. “Anybody that wants to come join us on Showtime, give us a call. We are ready for anybody,” Garcia said.
And with a win as impressive as this one, he can pick any opponent he wants to face as the offers will surely come in droves. And finally, Garcia can finally take his place as one of the best boxers in the world before his career got sidetracked.
