Vinny’s Views: Mikey Garcia Vs Robert Easter, JR. – The Stats, The Facts & The Fight Prediction Is In!

[AdSense-A]

By Vinny “Glory Days” Lucci

Once in a great while an extraordinary boxing event presents itself on its merits alone without phony build ups, carnival barkers or terrified promoters who insist on teasing the public with three year maturation clauses. True fans circle calendars dates when they read the cherished words, somebody’s “O” has got to go. That immense gut wrenching joyful panic attack one gets knowing two worthy undefeated champions will lay it all on the line in an attempt to covert the others belt, title and all the respect in the world that goes along with the accomplishment.

The exemplification becomes more prolific when both combatants on collision course are respected for their work ethic as well as their time tested abilities. That is to say, they signed the contract placed before them knowing full well its implications could leave serious consequences to their storied careers should a loss immerge like an indelible sin on the soul.

The Event:

On July 28, Mikey Garcia will match his WBC lightweight title against Robert Easter Jr.’s IBF belt in a rare unification match of undefeated champions. Presented by Premier Boxing Champions and shown live on SHOWTIME, 10 pm ET/ 7 pm PT. Event promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Garcia will enter bout riding aloft previous glory of having already won titles in four different divisions securing his legacy and guaranteeing an induction into hall of fame. Easter will be making the fourth defense of his title looking to use his superior height and reach to derail his adversary from achieving immortality in the wake of this brilliant match up.

The Stats:

Mikey Garcia is an American boxer of Mexican heritage who stands 5’7” with a 68” reach. The orthodox boxer sports a stunning record of 38-0, 30 KO’s. At 30 years old and having turned pro back in 2006, Mikey has reached his peak and must be ever so watchful of division jumping and weight changes. Garcia had supplemented a two year hiatus on his resume due to contract dispute with Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank over money disputes, and may have squandered his very best on principle. His trophy case includes championship belts at Featherweight, Super Featherweight, Lightweight, and Jr. Welterweight. Mikey is trained by his father Eduardo and brother Robert Garcia, himself a former boxer.

Robert Easter, JR. is an American boxer born and residing in Toledo Ohio who towers over 135 pound competition at 5’11” with a staggering 76”reach. Known as “E-Bunny” for a moniker the orthodox boxer has been pro seven years with a stellar record of 21-0, 14 KO’s. He is trained by his father, Robert, SR., also a former pro boxer who retired in 1999.

Last Fight:

Garcia took on the formidable challenge of IBF Jr. Welterweight champion Sergey Limpets at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio Texas this past March winning convincingly by unanimous decision. Mikey landed 46% of his power shots and dropped the champion in the seventh round.

Robert Easter, JR. last fought in January at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn New York defending his title against Javier Fortuna, winning by narrow margin split decision. Fortuna’s southpaw style and speed troubled the champion’s rhythm as well as rocked him on occasion. The challenger had a point deducted in the second round for tactical misconduct which would have otherwise produced a majority draw. When scorecards were read the live gate booed the decision.

Styles:

Garcia doesn’t carry a moniker but I liken him to an “Iceman.” He has a very patient defense and doesn’t waste time or energy walking his man down looking to exploit aggressive mistakes and slowly taking away his opponent’s confidence forcing openings to target. He has terrific balance and has no flaws in his game to expose. As long as he steer‘s clear of the much larger welterweights Mikey is going to be one tough hombre to beat at lightweight. Just how good is he? To quote his newest nemesis Robert Easter, JR., “…you know you’re in front of a really sound guy. He boxes well. He’s very patient. He’s a smart fighter. He finds flaws in opponents after a few rounds and makes some adjustments. He’s a smart fighter.” Think top ten pound for pound on today’s market.

Easter, JR. is extremely tall and rangy for a 135 pound champion. He has fast hands highlighting his boxing ability with terrific snap at the end of his punches. Robert is at his best when he comes forward behind a stiff jab shooting a straight right hand behind it with flashes of brilliance reminiscent of Thomas Hearns. Always in terrific shape but the comparisons end there. Inside the pocket deficiencies have been exposed since he has become champion and upped the level of competition.

What to look for fight night:

This will be a chess match for as long as Garcia remains outside the pocket using radar skills to adjust his angles and timing. Easter, JR. doesn’t stay on the stick as a form of offensive aggression, nor as a defensive benchmark for foes to step around. Once inside the pocket Robert gets sloppy and can be easily bullied, manhandled or tied up. His balance becomes rubbery and makes you wonder if his body is simply too light? In the trenches he exposes his chin in frantic flurries while often squared up with his legs splayed squandering his leverage. In these precarious moments uppercuts find his chin like guided missiles. Mikey’s defense is just too damn good to be taken out quickly and his offense is too sweet not to take every advantage stumbling before him.

The Vinny Factor:

Regardless of all of Robert’s comments that the media should stop judging so much of his last two fights because this will be the best Robert Easter, JR. possible; it won’t. Boxing has an old adage, “You are only as good as your last fight,” and Easter, JR. has failed to seriously take heed. While Robert may admit his last two defenses have been less than spectacular he’s still lying to himself. Since winning the title in 2016 by split decision against Richard Commey, he has failed to stop his last three opponents in title defenses and left many thinking he should have been dethroned against Fortuna in what turned out to be a wild free swinging brawl. While the IBF champion may be the tallest boxer Garcia has ever faced, he is not the best. Inside the pocket he will surrender his height and reach advantages turning the title unification into a street brawl but Garcia will stick to his own gameplan.

Odds:

Vegas set late odds at Garcia -800 / Easter, JR. at +500

Prediction:

Garcia by S.O.S. (Stoppage or Scorecards) Rumor mill had Mikey gaining upwards of 35 pounds since his last bout in March. If he has taken it off properly in gym and roadwork Easter, JR. shouldn’t hear the bell for round 11. If Mikey is huffing for air in second half of fight he’ll still have his hand raised at bout’s conclusion.

Stay tuned…

[si-contact-form form=’2′]