After suffering his first loss one year ago, four-division world champion Mikey Garcia (39-1 30 KOs) has stayed at welterweight to meet Jessie Vargas (29-2-2 11 KOs) at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on February 29.
“I think that there’s a lot more that I can do at 147lbs,” said Garcia. “The Spence fight was not a representation of that, it wasn’t my night and not the fight that I wanted to fight, I just couldn’t perform and once in a while you have an off night and it happened to be that night for me. I need to show my fans and the boxing world that I can do a lot more, even at 147lbs.
“A world title in a fifth division is very exciting. I would love to fight for a title again at 147lbs, claiming a world title in a fifth division would be amazing and that’s why I am staying at 147, but there are other motivations for me in the sport, I’m not done, there’s a lot more to accomplish. After this fight I’ll look at options at 147lbs and 140lbs, I’m not stuck at either weight, I’m keeping my options open.”
I know we all can conclude or point out Mikey gets himself outgunned by moving up in weight classes. However, I admire his efforts and the drive he has to pursue his endeavors as a fighter. He may even surprise us and win against someone projected to beat him.
Mikey at 147 becomes Robert Guerrero. He’s in over his head. He REALLY should be fighting at 135. 140 is pushing it. Mikey is ruining his career not in an effort to be great (he could have done that 135 there are many good fights at that weight) but in an effort to chase a paycheck. I said this before the Spence fight and he’s done nothing to change my mind.
Will be a tough scrappy fight for Garcia. The way he seemed after the Spence fight He doesn’t need too many more of those. Micky does better against boxers with lower punch output.
As much as I like and respect Mikey, I believe Jessie Vargas may be the one to give him his next defeat. JV has decent speed and a good chin and swarms his opponents.
I want to respect a fighter willing to move up and face (seemingly) tougher opposition, but it’s hard to consider most of these guys multi-Division Champions when they win one paper title and move up (CANELO!). Mikey Garcia is a very good fighter, but he’s never really proven he’s the best at any weight in my opinion. This “drive for five”, becomes laughable because of it.
With that said, the matchup with Vargas should be very entertaining and I look forward to seeing it. As for establishing a lasting legacy, Mikey should consider trying to unify at the more realistic 140 lb weight class. Maybe Loma can come see him if/when he unifies at 135.