Mikey Garcia is back as a world champion and possibly better than ever.
It only took Garcia less than three rounds to knock out Dejan Zlaticanin to become the new WBC Lightweight champion, the third weight class in which Garcia has won a world title (junior lightweight, featherweight). Garcia had looked very comfortable in the ring and was dominating the fight until knocking Zlaticanin to the canvas in the third round. The fight was the co-main event of the Frampton vs. Santa Cruz 2 fight card from Las Vegas, Nevada, which was also broadcasted on Showtime.
Garcia had been absent from the sport after contract disputes forced Garcia into a two-year hiatus from the sport. Since his return, Garcia defeated Elio Rojas last summer and immediately went for the world title. His plan moving isn't just to unify titles at 135 pounds, but to eventually move up in weight to super lightweight and unify those world titles as well.
Zlaticanin came into the fight not only undefeated, but also having never been knocked down in his career. Both streaks were broken in Zlaticanin's first defense of the world title.
Garcia not only leaves Las Vegas with his perfect record intact (36-0), but becomes the 46th boxer in history to have held major world titles in three different weight classes.