Pro Boxer Mikey Garcia Wins His Return Fight On Showtime

MORENO VALLEY>> Moreno Valley resident and 28-year-old professional boxer Mikey Garcia returned to the ring July 30 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., after a two and one-half year layoff due to a contract dispute with his former promotional company, Top Rank. On the Showtime televised broadcast, Garcia, knocked down former WBC World Featherweight Champion Elio Rojas four times, before referee Eddie Claudio called an end to the fight at 2:02 of Round 5. Following the TKO win, Garcia’s record improved to 35-0, with 29 KOs, while Rojas’ record dropped to 24-3, with 14 KOs. Garcia-Rojas was scheduled for ten rounds in the junior welterweight division as the co-main event on the fight card promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Cyclone Promotions and presented by Premier Boxing Champions. In the main event, Carl Frampton won the WBA Super World Featherweight Title by defeating Leon Santa Cruz by majority decision. Garcia, a former two-time WBO world champion in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions, last fought on Jan. 25, when he successfully defended his WBO World Super Featherweight Title in a unanimous decision win against Juan Carlos Burgos on HBO. In October 2014, he vacated the WBO World Super Featherweight Title because he had plans to move up in weight. Mikey grew up in Oxnard, California, trains in Riverside at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy and resides in Moreno Valley. He shared his thoughts about his winning performance against his opponent, Rojas. “It took me a round or two to get my rhythm going," Garcia said. "I had to find that right distance and range to connect my punches. I didn’t feel any ring rust. My defense and footwork were fine, my punches felt sharp and fast and I felt good with my jab. My opponent used the ring well and demonstrated solid footwork. The plan was always to keep my distance and measure him. It was difficult to land that one big shot, because he kept moving and using his legs. He was smart and he wanted to win. Rojas had good reflexes and he was able to see me coming in. He kept moving out of the way before I could land a big punch. I worked hard to close the distance, and when it happened, I let my hands go. Once I started landing hard shots, I knew that I hurt him, and eventually he went down." Garcia said after the first two knockdowns, Rojas looked like he did not want to be in the ring anymore. "The last time that I dropped him, the referee asked him if he wanted to continue," Garcia said. "He kept looking down and finally said 'no.' I made a statement by stopping Rojas in my return fight. Everybody at the Barclays Center was cheering and it was great to get a victory in that manner. I easily made 138 pounds for this fight, and the contracted weight had been set previously at 140 pounds. I felt real comfortable on fight night, so making 135 pounds for my next fight won’t be any problem.” During the past two years, Garcia said he never went away from boxing, but continued to stay busy and helped other fighters get ready for their fights while also making improvements in the gym. "I had good sparring prior to this fight and I had adequate time to prepare," Garcia said. "It’s very important that I get right back in the ring again soon. I didn’t have any cuts or abrasions and my hands feel good. I’m ready for a world title fight right away at 135 pounds. I would love to fight for the WBO World Super Featherweight Title, which is currently held by Terry Flanagan of the UK. If the world title opportunity isn’t available, then I want to be back in the ring as soon as possible so that I can stay active." Garcia said his next objective is to challenge for a title at 135 pounds, then unify titles in that division if the opportunity presents itself. After that, he said a move to 140 pounds would be likely would seek world title opportunities there. He plans to target well-known names and the big fights that fans want to see. Because of the challenges ahead of him and his time away, he said it is important that he move on the fast track, and face champion after champion. Now that the Rojas fight is over, Garcia said he plans to resume conversations with boxing promoters. "I’m still a free agent and am willing to negotiate a deal if it is in my best interest to do so," Garcia said. Garcia said he thanks Stephen Espinoza, Al Haymon and Lou DiBella for giving him the opportunity to fight on July 30, as well as his sponsors: B&B Plastics Inc., Asanti Wheels and Everlast. "It feels great to be back, but there’s so much more I want to accomplish," Garcia said. "This is just the beginning and I will do my best to give everyone memorable fights. The time off helped me regain that fire and it motivated me to come back stronger. I’m thankful for all the fan support I’ve received. My performance on (July 30) hopefully reminded everyone what I’m capable of doing inside the ring, and it’s a great way to begin this next stage of my career."