Mikey Garcia (39-0, 30 KOs) defeated Robert Easter Jr. (21-1, 14 KOs) this past Saturday night to become the undefeated, unified champion in the Lightweight division. With scores of 116-111, 117-110 and 118-109 Garcia won via unanimous decision and is the WBC and new IBF Lightweight champion.
Garcia dominated Easter Jr. for 12 rounds and left no question who was the better fighter on Saturday night. It took Garcia merely one round to find his range, and get comfortable in the ring with Easter Jr.
Garcia dropped Easter Jr. with a straight right and left hook combination to the chin in the third round.
.@mikeygarcia sends @RobertEaster_Jr to the canvas in round 3. #GarciaEaster pic.twitter.com/PzCSKEEIra
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) July 29, 2018
Garcia has undoubtedly cemented a spot in the pound-for-pound rankings as one of the best boxers in the world today.
The question remains, what should the four division champion, and unified Lightweight champion Mikey Garcia do next to continue his rise to superstardom in boxing?
Garcia can attempt to become the undisputed champion of the Lightweight division by facing Raymundo Beltran and Vasyl Lomachenko.
Garcia’s remaining options are prime time, mega matchups with Welterweights Manny Pacquiao or Errol Spence Jr.
Raymundo Beltran
Raymundo Beltran (35-7-1, 21 KOs) is the current WBO lightweight champion of the world. Beltran obtained the vacant belt with a unanimous decision victory against Paulus Moses (40-3, 25 KOs).
Mikey Garcia should keep the option of becoming the undisputed Lightweight champion open and would need a showdown with Beltran to accomplish just that.
This would not be the biggest fight he could make at the moment, but becoming undisputed in the sport of boxing is an amazing feat.
Remaining in the Lightweight division and fighting another champion should be on the list of possible future plans for Mikey Garcia.
Vasyl Lomachenko
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Vasyl Lomachenko (11-1, 9 KOs) is the WBA Lightweight champion and like Garcia is on the rise in boxing stardom. Lomachenko is a three-division champion and has risen to the top of most pound-for-pound lists.
Garcia has publicly stated he wants to fight the best, and Lomachenko is definitely on the top of the list.
Garcia vs Lomachenko would be the best fight possible to be made in the Lightweight division. Two of the best fighters in the world trying to unify, and become undisputed champions is enticing.
Manny Pacquiao
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Manny Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 KOs) is an eight-division world champion and the current WBA Welterweight champion. Fighting a future Hall of Famer is another option for Mikey Garcia, and would do wonders for his name and resume.
Pacquiao is coming off an impressive TKO victory over Lucas Matthysse (39-4, 36 KOs), and still is one of the best Welterweights in boxing.
Fighting one of the biggest names in the sport of boxing needs to be explored by Mikey Garcia, and his team.
While most of the remaining Welterweights are fighting each other, Garcia should reach out to Pacquiao for a mega-fight.
Errol Spence Jr.
Porfirio Barron Jr./RBRBoxing
Errol Spence Jr. ( 24-0, 21 KOs) is the IBF Welterweight champion, and one of boxing’s most feared punchers.
Spence Jr. is riding an 11 straight stoppage streak, whether the victories have been KOs, TKOs, or RTD. This is the most dangerous opponent for Mikey Garcia, and what seems to be his first option.
Garcia vs Spence Jr. seems to be a mismatch on paper, but Garcia doesn’t seem to think that is the case.
This fight would have a similar feeling to that of GGG (38-0-1, 34 KOs) vs. Kell Brook (37-2, 26 KOs). The smaller man moving up in weight to face the monster of an opponent.
Garcia should explore other options first, but may be able to survive the Spence Jr. power punching and shock the world.
Header Photo: Scott Hirano/Showtime Boxing
