Tag: Garcia Martin

Mikey Garcia can see himself pursuing a title at 147 or 140

Former four-division beltholder Mikey Garcia said he can see himself pursuing a title at 147 pounds or 140.

Mikey Garcia seemed to have been steadfast in his pursuit of a major title at 147 pounds, which would make him a five-division champion. However, the smallish welterweight is open to fighting for another belt at 140.

That would mean a meeting with undisputed junior welterweight titleholder Josh Taylor, assuming he remains champion.

Garcia (40-1, 30 KOs) is scheduled to face Sando Martin (38-2, 13 KOs) at a catch weight of 145 on Saturday in Fresno, California (DAZN), his first fight in almost 600 days.

“If there’s a good fight at 147, with a big name or a belt, I’d love that,” said Garcia, who was shut out by welterweight titleholder Errol Spence Jr. in March 2019. “I think I am better built and more developed for welterweight now than I was the first time around.

Mikey Garcia (left) and Sandor Martin on Thursday faced off at a news conference to promote their welterweight fight on Saturday. Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.

“I don’t see myself at lightweight ever again, but I can see 140. There are some very good names at the weight. Josh Taylor is a great champion. And if some of the guys at 135 look to move up, there’s so many big fights at 140.

“I just have to keep winning. Victory on Saturday and then getting another win against someone like Regis [Prograis], I think that should create enough attention to land a fight with Taylor. He’s the undisputed champion, and that’s the biggest fight that I could engage in at the weight of course.”

The Los Angeles-area product seemed to be leading candidate to face Manny Pacquiao but that fight didn’t materialize. He then moved onto talks with Prograis, who has talked about moving up from 140 to 147. However, those talks also fizzled.

Garcia is coming off a convincing decision over Jessie Vargas at 147 in February of last year, although the winner weighed in at 145¾ — the heaviest of his career.

“I wanted to stay at 147 to look at fighting for a world welterweight title,” he said. “We had discussed the Prograis fight at welterweight as he was considering moving up to 147. And on Saturday we were looking to have the fight at 147, but Sandor has been at 140 so we agreed on a 145 catchweight, which I am not thrilled about but it’s OK.

“I’ve never stepped on the scales at 147, I’ve been 144 or 145, so it’s the same to me. I want to have both options available. If there’s a chance to fight for a belt at welterweight, I am ready, but 140 is a more ideal weight for me at my size and body structure, it’s a more comfortable weight for me.

“I understand the boxing business, so I was disappointed the Regis fight didn’t happen, but we move on. I hope that we can make that fight happen soon. If things go well on Saturday and I win without any injuries or cuts, I’d want to pursue that fight straight away.

“That is a fight I want, the fans and media want it, but the scheduling and the promotional time needed to build a fight like that just wasn’t there.”

[lawrence-related id=24738,24713,6722]

Mikey Garcia can see himself pursuing a title at 147 or 140

Former four-division beltholder Mikey Garcia said he can see himself pursuing a title at 147 pounds or 140.

Mikey Garcia seemed to have been steadfast in his pursuit of a major title at 147 pounds, which would make him a five-division champion. However, the smallish welterweight is open to fighting for another belt at 140.

That would mean a meeting with undisputed junior welterweight titleholder Josh Taylor, assuming he remains champion.

Garcia (40-1, 30 KOs) is scheduled to face Sando Martin (38-2, 13 KOs) at a catch weight of 145 on Saturday in Fresno, California (DAZN), his first fight in almost 600 days.

“If there’s a good fight at 147, with a big name or a belt, I’d love that,” said Garcia, who was shut out by welterweight titleholder Errol Spence Jr. in March 2019. “I think I am better built and more developed for welterweight now than I was the first time around.

Mikey Garcia (left) and Sandor Martin on Thursday faced off at a news conference to promote their welterweight fight on Saturday. Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.

“I don’t see myself at lightweight ever again, but I can see 140. There are some very good names at the weight. Josh Taylor is a great champion. And if some of the guys at 135 look to move up, there’s so many big fights at 140.

“I just have to keep winning. Victory on Saturday and then getting another win against someone like Regis [Prograis], I think that should create enough attention to land a fight with Taylor. He’s the undisputed champion, and that’s the biggest fight that I could engage in at the weight of course.”

The Los Angeles-area product seemed to be leading candidate to face Manny Pacquiao but that fight didn’t materialize. He then moved onto talks with Prograis, who has talked about moving up from 140 to 147. However, those talks also fizzled.

Garcia is coming off a convincing decision over Jessie Vargas at 147 in February of last year, although the winner weighed in at 145¾ — the heaviest of his career.

“I wanted to stay at 147 to look at fighting for a world welterweight title,” he said. “We had discussed the Prograis fight at welterweight as he was considering moving up to 147. And on Saturday we were looking to have the fight at 147, but Sandor has been at 140 so we agreed on a 145 catchweight, which I am not thrilled about but it’s OK.

“I’ve never stepped on the scales at 147, I’ve been 144 or 145, so it’s the same to me. I want to have both options available. If there’s a chance to fight for a belt at welterweight, I am ready, but 140 is a more ideal weight for me at my size and body structure, it’s a more comfortable weight for me.

“I understand the boxing business, so I was disappointed the Regis fight didn’t happen, but we move on. I hope that we can make that fight happen soon. If things go well on Saturday and I win without any injuries or cuts, I’d want to pursue that fight straight away.

“That is a fight I want, the fans and media want it, but the scheduling and the promotional time needed to build a fight like that just wasn’t there.”

[lawrence-related id=24738,24713,6722]

Mikey Garcia hopes fight with Sandor Martin is first step back to top

Mikey Garcia hopes his fight with Sandor Martin on Saturday is the first step back to the top.

Mikey Garcia is determined to reclaim his place as one of boxing biggest stars.

The former four-division titleholder has been out of the ring since he outpointed Jessie Vargas in February of last year, almost 20 months ago. He was a candidate to face Manny Pacquiao and then Regis Prograis in major fights in the meantime but neither bout materialized.

That leaves Garcia (40-1, 30 KOs) with a return fight against obscure Sandor Martin on Saturday in Fresno, California (DAZN). Well, it’s a start.

“It’s been a year and a half since my last fight, so I am excited to get back in there,” Garcia said. “I am looking forward to giving my fans a chance to see me again, especially here in Cali. It’s my home state but I haven’t fought much here.

“I want to pursue big fights, title fights, and be recognized as one of the best fighters in the world once again. This is another step in that direction.”

Garcia is far removed from his best days, when he plowed through a series of respected opponents – Orlando Salido, Juan Manuel Lopez, Roman Martinez, Adrien Broner, Robert Easter and more – to win one title after another in dominating fashion.

That streak ended in one disastrous fight, a shutout loss to Errol Spence Jr. in Garcia’s debut as a welterweight in March 2019. He rebounded to knock down and beat Vargas but he wasn’t perceived the same.

Garcia appeared to be the leading candidate to face Pacquiao, which would’ve provided the opportunity to instantaneously rise back to the top. However, the Filipino opted to face Spence before ultimately fighting Yordenis Ugas when Spence suffered an eye injury in training.

And a potential meeting with Prograis never came to fruition because DAZN wasn’t willing to fund the fight without time to promote it properly, Garcia said.

That left him with Martin, a 28-year-old Spaniard who is on a nine-fight winning streak but has never faced anyone near Garcia’s ability and has fought only in Europe. Plus, the resident of Barcelona will be moving up from junior welterweight for the fight.

Still, Garcia sees Martin (38-2, 13 KOs) as a solid opponent.

“He is a very good fighter,” Garcia said. “He’s a southpaw. He’s relatively unknown in America, but worldwide and in the sport, people know him. He’s got a great record at 38-2, he’s hungry for a big opportunity like this and wants to capitalize on it.

“Sandor knows a win on Saturday would catapult his name into the mix for the fights that I want. I don’t think it’s going to be an easy night at all, but I am planning on fighting the very best Sandor Martin and I am going to show all my skills and show that I am a force to be reckoned with.”

Garcia probably won’t have too much trouble with Martin. Then we’ll see whether he can get a big fight.

[lawrence-related id=23847,18428,18261,14275]

Mikey Garcia hopes fight with Sandor Martin is first step back to top

Mikey Garcia hopes his fight with Sandor Martin on Saturday is the first step back to the top.

Mikey Garcia is determined to reclaim his place as one of boxing biggest stars.

The former four-division titleholder has been out of the ring since he outpointed Jessie Vargas in February of last year, almost 20 months ago. He was a candidate to face Manny Pacquiao and then Regis Prograis in major fights in the meantime but neither bout materialized.

That leaves Garcia (40-1, 30 KOs) with a return fight against obscure Sandor Martin on Saturday in Fresno, California (DAZN). Well, it’s a start.

“It’s been a year and a half since my last fight, so I am excited to get back in there,” Garcia said. “I am looking forward to giving my fans a chance to see me again, especially here in Cali. It’s my home state but I haven’t fought much here.

“I want to pursue big fights, title fights, and be recognized as one of the best fighters in the world once again. This is another step in that direction.”

Garcia is far removed from his best days, when he plowed through a series of respected opponents – Orlando Salido, Juan Manuel Lopez, Roman Martinez, Adrien Broner, Robert Easter and more – to win one title after another in dominating fashion.

That streak ended in one disastrous fight, a shutout loss to Errol Spence Jr. in Garcia’s debut as a welterweight in March 2019. He rebounded to knock down and beat Vargas but he wasn’t perceived the same.

Garcia appeared to be the leading candidate to face Pacquiao, which would’ve provided the opportunity to instantaneously rise back to the top. However, the Filipino opted to face Spence before ultimately fighting Yordenis Ugas when Spence suffered an eye injury in training.

And a potential meeting with Prograis never came to fruition because DAZN wasn’t willing to fund the fight without time to promote it properly, Garcia said.

That left him with Martin, a 28-year-old Spaniard who is on a nine-fight winning streak but has never faced anyone near Garcia’s ability and has fought only in Europe. Plus, the resident of Barcelona will be moving up from junior welterweight for the fight.

Still, Garcia sees Martin (38-2, 13 KOs) as a solid opponent.

“He is a very good fighter,” Garcia said. “He’s a southpaw. He’s relatively unknown in America, but worldwide and in the sport, people know him. He’s got a great record at 38-2, he’s hungry for a big opportunity like this and wants to capitalize on it.

“Sandor knows a win on Saturday would catapult his name into the mix for the fights that I want. I don’t think it’s going to be an easy night at all, but I am planning on fighting the very best Sandor Martin and I am going to show all my skills and show that I am a force to be reckoned with.”

Garcia probably won’t have too much trouble with Martin. Then we’ll see whether he can get a big fight.

[lawrence-related id=23847,18428,18261,14275]

Mikey Garcia to return to ring against Sandor Martin on Oct. 16

Mikey Garcia is scheduled to return to ring against Sandor Martin on Oct. 16 in Fresno, Calif.

Mikey Garcia is returning to the ring on Oct. 16.

The former four-division titleholder won’t be facing Manny Pacquiao, Josh Taylor or Regis Prograis, high-profile prospective opponents to whom he has been linked. Instead, he’ll face relatively obscure Sandor Martin in Fresno, Calif. (DAZN).

At least he’ll be fighting again after a 20-month layoff. And, of course, bigger fights are within his grasp.

“I’m very excited to get back in the ring and give my fans another night to remember,” Garcia said. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on October 16 in Fresno – it’s going to be a great night of boxing.”

Garcia (40-1, 30 KOs) last fought in February of last year, when he defeated Jessie Vargas by a clear decision.

That followed a shutout loss to 147-pound titleholder Errol Spence Jr. in March 2019, Garcia’s first setback. He has fought only twice – Spence and Vargas – since he outpointed Robert Easter in July 2018.

Garcia, 33, was once a leading candidate to fight Manny Pacquiao but the Filipino icon ended up fighting 147-pound titleholder Yordenis Ugas, who defeated him by a decision last month.

Martin (38-2, 13 KOs) has won nine consecutive fights since he lost a decision to Anthony Yigit in 2017. He has neither faced anyone near Garcia’s ability nor fought outside of Europe.

The 28-year-old is from Barcelona, Spain.

“I’m so excited for this opportunity,” Martin said. “The sport of boxing brings me the chance to change my life. There will be a before and after for everyone in this fight.”