Mikey Garcia Wants 147 Title Shot then Spence Rematch
Well back in 2018, the talented Mikey Garcia (40-1, 30 KO’s) mystified the boxing world by expressing an animated interest in facing WBC and IBF world welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (26-0, 21 KO’s). Sure, Garcia was already a four-division champion having captured titles at featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight and super lightweight.
Yet, even with these impressive accomplishments welterweight was yet another big leap up. Not to mention that Spence is already a notoriously big welterweight to begin with. Nevertheless, Garcia continued to bang on The Truth’s door until one day it opened.
ROUGH FIRST DAY
Once in the ring with the Truth, Garcia was methodically chewed up and spit out like sunflower seeds in baseball dugouts. Despite the entirely one-sided affair, Garcia would remain determined to prove that his boxing campaign in the 147 pound division was legit. To illustrate his point and show his mettle, Garcia fought and defeated the tough Jessie “The Pride of Las Vegas” Vargas (29-3-2, 11 KO’s).
The much needed win came by way of unanimous decision and it was the correct one. Even when in with Vargas however, Garcia was forced to overcome some early fight woes directly due to their physical match-up. Midway through the showdown however, Garcia was able to adjust, hurt, drop and then dominate the Pride of Las Vegas.
FIFTH DIVISION ASPIRATIONS
Some view the multi-divisional champion’s action as unnecessarily bullheaded. Still, there is a coherent underlining rationale for his decisions. In a recent online interview conducted with Premier Boxing Champions, Garcia took the time to delve a bit more into his personal outlook on the matter.
“I do want to secure a title at 147. Being a fifth division title holder would be amazing for my career, for my legacy. I think that really is what is pushing me to continue at 147, I really want to get that fifth world title! I think I have what it takes to do so. I got to earn my shot, I got to get in line and make something happen.
…I do feel that 140 would be a better fit. Better natural fit, but it’s just one of those things where I know that the champions are held by an different entity and it will be a lot more complicated to secure a world title fight. Two of the belts are held by [Jose Carlos] Ramirez, who is also a stablemate, a friend of mine. Obviously [we] are not going to be fighting each other, so it just complicates things at 140. And if there is no title fight available at 140, what am I going to do there? I’d rather secure and reach for a title at 147.”
PLOTTING ON REVENGE
So, provided with this explanation, the moves that Garcia has made recently do make more sense. Furthermore, seeing as how he is determined to remain a competitor within the welterweight division, it is only natural that he would like some get-back with Spence. Even in this endeavor though, Garcia understands he has some more work to do to get a second crack at The Truth.
“I knew it was going to be a tough fight, a tough fighter. He does everything so well, I kept saying he reminds me a lot about me. There is nothing flashy or nothing special that stands out in Errol Spence, but everything he does he does it very well, very effectively; a lot similar to the way that I fight. But, obviously he was a lot better and he was a bigger guy, longer reach, the height and he knew how to use it!
…that’s just boxing you know? You got to take what you learn from that loss and keep moving forward. And I think I want to earn my shot. I need to win a few fights, get another big fight, maybe a world title fight and that will secure a rematch opportunity.”
Now that Garcia has claimed the scalp of Vargas, it will be interesting to see who he can pen a bout with next. Can he continue to improve and become a legitimate devastating force in the division? Or will he meet bitter defeat once again when dealing with the monsters higher up on the 147 food chain? Only time will tell, but it will fun finding out!
By: Bakari Simpson
