Mikey Garcia: Promoters, Purses & Boxing – The Champ is Back…

By Tony “The Fighting Writer” Luis

It was not that long ago that boxing media and fans alike, were hailing Mikey Garcia as one of boxing’s new budding stars. He was emerging as a young champion on the rise and HBO was endorsing him as one of the leading faces of their brand. With 3 consecutive stoppage wins over the still formidable trio of Orlando Salido, Roman Martinez, and Juan Manuel Lopez, Garcia was establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with and somebody who can carry the sport into the new generation. After winning the WBO and Ring Featherweight titles, he moved up to claim the WBO Junior lightweight title. In January 2014, he notched his first defense of his new title versus the tough Juan Carlos Burgos.

Garcia had to showcase other elements of his skillset, besides his power, and boxed his way to a competitive but clear cut unanimous decision. Onwards and upwards it was supposed to be. HBO loved him, fans loved him and payday-worthy opponents were waiting in the wings. What was there not to love? A well spoken and clean-living young champion with a decorated amateur background, entering the prime of his career, bred from a fighting family and whose style and ethnic background could attract a following from fans in the US as well as boxing’s loyal padres and amigos south of the border. That spells money. As it turned out, apparently not enough money.

The problems started when negotiations fell through for a mega fight between Garcia and Cuban buzzsaw Yuriorkis Gamboa. Negotiations came to a halt due to purse discrepancies. Garcia fought to get more money, though it seemed a substantial offer was already made. Garcia opted to hold out for a bigger purse, which lead to the fight not happening at all and nobody getting paid. On the surface it looked like greed on Garcia’s part. Of course, the fighter is the first to be blamed and always gets hit the hardest by media and the public, in these situations. Members of the press began their campaign against Garcia. The same members who are accommodated with expense free trips and the best dinners and hotel suites from the same promoters they are paid to write about. Of course, with all that said, there is no room for bias… Headlines were stating he was stalling his career and oh the best one, he was afraid to fight. A two time world champion, 34-0, 28 KO’s, who fights for a living..was afraid to fight.. *insert raised eyebrows here*

Something that should be mentioned that often goes unreported is the money left on the table after purses have been handed out. Before I continue, I should note that of course the promoter has to make money. After all there are costs involved in running a show. Although sponsorships, TV money, and Casino money go a long way, it is still very draining to be spending other people’s money… So it is vital that a promoter turns over a profit. But how much of that profit? Within the Muhammad Ali Reform Act, there is a section outlining, if demanded, that promoters must release how much money is on the table, even after purses have been handed out. Seems fair and transparent. Only problem is the promoter is not obliged to release those numbers until the day before the fight. By that time, what fighter in his right mind is going to pack his bags and go home? All that said, most fight negotiations fall apart due to money. In Mikey Garcia’s case, one can assume he wanted to know how much money his promoter, Top Rank, was walking away with when the smoke cleared. That information was not being released to him. Regardless of the offer, if a promoter stands to make as much, or more, then the fighter.. then Houston, we have a problem. For those who disagree with me, you are not safe to be in the same room as me.
There were other rumblings that Haymon’s people were reaching out to Garcia and whispering sweet nothings in his ear that may have been “sweeter” sweet nothings then what Top Rank was offering. Top Rank reminded Garcia of their contract, so Garcia inquired with lawyers and did some digging. He filed a lawsuit against Top Rank claiming their contract was not valid to the extent Top Rank was claiming and he demanded a release. Some members of the press were calling him a coward, again throwing that dirty A-word again (afraid) in regards to him getting in the ring. Naturally, we will never know the full details of this case due to confidentiality and legal implications.

To some of those members of the press, who have a huge soundboard to express their views to the masses, who can lead, or mislead the public.. you must ask yourself..why would an athlete give up 2 years of his physical prime? Because he was scared? Remove the rose tinted glasses and come join the rest of us in the world of reality. A fighter’s biggest fear are his opponents he meets in the business, not in the ring. In a world where our moral compass is becoming secondary and many in the sporting and celebrity world sell out and allow themselves to be owned, I tip my hat off to Mikey Garcia. I say it took balls to give up 2 years of his prime, and withstand the public scrutiny, in a battle that he felt was a worthy cause. He believed in it, so did his lawyers, and ultimately the courts did too. Last week, reports read that Top Rank was finally forced to release Mikey Garcia.

Now that dreadful politics are out of the way, the first order of business is for Garcia’s team to find him a new promoter. At 28 years old, he still has a few good years to provide fans championship-level boxing. It was announced that Mikey Garcia will campaign at 140. This leaves us all clamoring for a clash of the titans between him and Terence Crawford. That would be a tall order indeed. An intriguing battle that presents challenges Garcia has yet to face in his career. It will be interesting to see if Garcia can carry his trademark power up to the Junior Welterweight ranks. Many questions to be answered. Rest assured, Mikey Garcia cannot wait to answer them.

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