All photos by Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
On Saturday, July 29, 2017, Showtime presented an exciting card with Mikey Garcia (37-0, 30 KOs) and Adrien “The Problem” Broner (33-3, 24 KOs) headlining the evening.
The televised portion of the card also co-featured Undefeated Jermall Charlo (26-0, 20 KOs) making his debut at 160-pounds with a stoppage over Argentine contender Jorge Sebastian Heiland (29-5-2, 16 KOs).
This card was packed with action that will have huge implications on various divisions within the sport. So what did we learn from this edition of Showtime Championship Boxing?
Mikey Garcia Is a Top Junior Welterweight
The three-division world champion Mikey Garcia remained undefeated with a spectacular 12-round performance against four-division world champion Adrien Broner in the main event of Showtime Championship Boxing, Saturday live from Barclays Center.
In what could be considered one of the best performances of his career, Garcia (37-0, 30 KO’s) won a unanimous decision by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice.
Garcia explained his approach by saying, “My strategy was to stay busy and apply pressure. I wanted to throw more punches than I have in my other fights. I think my counterpunching is underestimated until you’re actually in there with me.”
Garcia relied less on his counter punching in this fight as he positioned himself as the aggressor early on and even used a surprising tactic of solid body punches. Garcia is not known for great bodywork but he’s also not your traditional come forward Mexican fighter either.
Garcia is a wonderfully skilled technician which also played to his advantage against the counter punching style of Broner. It was difficult for Broner to find openings to land punches as Garcia has very little flaws in his offense, therefore making the counter punching style of Broner virtually non-existent. “This is definitely one of my best performances ever,” said Garcia after the fight. “I think I controlled the fight in the early rounds, and I kept the activity up. [Broner] is a great fighter who has great skills. I was the superior fighter tonight.”
Throughout the fight, Broner was forced to fight backwards and had to throw his punches when he was not comfortable. Garcia stayed behind his strong jab, and flawlessly cut off the ring until found the perfect timing to land his many hard shots.
This masterful performance from Garcia has proven that he is now one of the top guys to see at 140 lbs. The ranges of fights that can be made from 135 lbs to 140 lbs are very attractive with some big names and big money involved.
The biggest names such as Vasyl Lomachenko, Terence Crawford, and Jorge Linares are all title holders that could really make for amazing fights with Garcia as all are technical fighters that process power in both hands.
The idea of Garcia fighting any title holder 135 lbs or 140 lbs is absolutely salivating for boxing fans. Garcia seems to be game to fight any of the top guys saying, “Anybody who wants to join me on Showtime can give me call. We’re ready for anybody.”
Garcia is without a doubt of the top guys in the Jr. Welterweight division now, and we can’t wait to see who he fights next.
AB…. You Know, Average Boxer?
Adrien Broner was once considered one of boxing’s brightest stars, however, on Saturday night his powerful shine may have finally faded out for good.
This was a defining fight in Broner’s storied career. His antics outside of the ring have left a stain on him, but still some fans hoped that a seemingly more focused and disciplined Broner could rise to the occasion and regain his spot as a top contender at his more natural weight of 140 lbs.
Broner however has proven again that he is simply unable to out-skill the elite level fighters regardless of his training regime and mental focus.
Broner is still very young; at only 28 years old he does possess the skills and the will to continue to be tough opposition for most fighters. But can Broner beat an elite level fighter anymore is the real question? Is Broner the star still that he once was, or has his time as one of a top guy gone by the wayside?
“At the end of the day, I’m still a four-weight champion and I’m still about billions and when I’m done with the sport, I’ll be in the history books,” said Broner. Broner is talented and entertaining, but his days of being a feared champion might just be history.
There Is a New American Heavyweight in Town
On the social media livestream portion of the undercard Saturday night, Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller improved to 19-0-1 with 17 KOs by wearing down Gerald Washington (18-2-1, 12 KOs) in dominant manner to earn a 7th round stoppage victory.
Miller has a fast mouth, and has been calling out the tops names of the heavyweight division in relentless fashion for years now. On Saturday night, Big Baby proved that he can back up his fast mouth against top opposition with vast skill-set and fast hands.
The large and in-charge Miller is an astonishing 6 feet 4 inches tall and sheds to a fight weight of 298 ½ lbs. but miraculously processes the athleticism and swiftness a smaller fighter.
Showtime’s Steve Farhood, while commentating the fight, explained, “He is a very good athlete, he can carry more (weight) than you can expect… Could you imagine this guy at 265 [or] 260… He would be quicker and very impressive.” Farhood went on to say that with this win over Washington this now makes Miller a contender in the ever-intriguing Heavyweight division.
When asked who he wants to fight next Miller explained, “I want Dillian Whyte, let me tell you why. Dillian Whyte is a good fighter, he comes forward, but he ain’t messing with Big Baby. He’s looking for an American to fight, to come to American TV.”
With Miller’s size, unique athleticism and knockout power, it looks like we have a new rising heavyweight contender to keep an eye on. Ladies and gentlemen, “Big Baby” is in the building.
