Mikey Garcia Defeats Robert Easter, JR & Where Does Easter, JR Go From Here?
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The fight most talked about at the moment is of course the IBF and WBC lightweight unification fight between Mikey Garcia, 39-0, 30 KO’s, and Robert Easter, JR., 21-1, 14 KO’s. It’s likely you’ve heard by now that Garcia won a comfortable unanimous decision over Easter, JR., handing him his first defeat as a professional. While there are several things Easter, JR., will look at as he plays back the tape, it was an effort he can certainly improve upon. Given that, there are options out there for The Bunny Team (TBT) should lightweight remain the future. The two that I find most intriguing are as follows:
Richard Commey, 26-2, 23 KO’s
Commey will be back in action when he takes on Yardley Cruz on August, 4, 2018. Should he prove successful, a rematch of their 2016 fight is a solid option. Their last fight was a split decision victory for Easter, JR., in what was a fairly entertaining and close fight. Arguments could be made for either fighter (I thought Easter Bunny slightly edged Commey). While Commey would find himself in enemy territory, the logical destination would be a homecoming fight in Toledo, Ohio. Both fighters have a common opponent that each faced since they last met, Denis Shafikov. While Commey dropped a split decision to Shafikov in 2016, Easter, JR., picked up a disputable unanimous decision victory this past year. For what it’s worth, a second matchup between the two would have even higher stakes. Some fighters are made for each other and this could be very intriguing should it be as close as the previous. There are many reasons this fight makes sense and given the history, it would likely be the easiest to make. As a matter of fact, it could be even bigger if Adrien Broner were added to the card and it became some form of an ‘Ohio’ event in total. If it makes dollars, it makes sense.
Jorge Linares, 44-4, 27 KO’s
Prior to the fight with Mikey Garcia, many would probably have scoffed at the idea of a fight between Linares and Easter, JR., likely not even giving Easter, JR., much of a chance, if any (some still may not). Linares is one of the purest technicians in the sport and depending on where Vasyl Lomachenko chooses to fight upon return from his surgery, still the best lightweight in the world. From a scheduling perspective, later in the year is open. Sure, there isn’t anyone clamoring for this fight at the moment but from a style perspective, I can see it being very intriguing. Ask yourself would Jorge Linares had been knocked out if it were he that faced Mikey Garcia? Prior to getting stopped by Lomachenko, which isn’t to be scoffed at given that he’s the #1 fighter the world, many would have saw Linares Vs Garcia as a 12 round fight with someone winning a decision. In hindsight, it’s hard not to think that Garcia himself would have stopped Linares, likely in more brutal fashion.
While Lomachenko and Garcia are two vastly different fighters, I think many would side with the fact that Garcia packs the bigger punch. Easter, JR., showed that he’s a bit better than his previous two fights indicated and were he to come in with the right game plan (think of the possibilities with thelate Manny Steward in his corner), it’s not out of the question that he could find success against Linares. With Linares being more of the proven commodity it would be hard to pick against him, but Easter, JR.’s size and length pose a problem for any lightweight if he’s at his best. Linares is well traveled and a bit of a nomad, so location doesn’t seem to matter when he’s applying his trade. This could fit as the co-feature for any top level card (Barclays?) and is likely to produce. Promotional barriers aside, it’s at the very least possible should people in the right places take notice.
Looking at the two at face value, the rematch with Commey is likely the fight that would prevail as far as easiest to make. That said, the Linares fight is certainly one I’d like to see. There are a couple of other fights that are possible just off thought. The winner of Ray Beltran Vs Jose Pedraza. That fight take place on August 24, and the WBO world lightweight title is up for grabs. That said, my thought is that the winner will ultimately be the likely return bout for Vasyl Lomachenko and would provide a chance for Lomachenko to unify at lightweight. There’s also Luke Campbell of the U.K. He’s a solid-skilled fighter who I’d like to see more of. A fight between Campbell and Easter, JR., intriguing though I don’t know of the possibility of it being made unless Easter, JR., is willing to travel across the pond to make a statement. Even then there would be promotional barriers. But, if a fighter wants it, it can be made.
Time will tell what’s in tow for Easter, JR. All I know is that he shouldn’t be counted out just yet. He was humble after the fight with Garcia and seems to understand where things went awry. Ultimately, if you fight the best available, you’re likely to run into a fighter with your number at some point.
Here’s to continuing to take those challenges.
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