Showtime Championship Boxing at the Barclays Center on July 30 is looking more and more like must see television for boxing fans. Former WBO featherweight champion Mikey Garcia (34-0, 28 KOs) will come out of retirement, which has lasted for two and a half years, to fight Elio Rojas in a 10 round fight, in the card headlined by Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton.
“I have no regrets,” Garcia said. “I’ve got to enjoy myself more than I had in the last 10 years. When you’re in boxing it’s a year round sport. You don’t have time to yourself, for your family or friends. You miss out on a lot. I learned a lot in my time away about boxing and more.”
Garcia said that even though he has not fought since retaining his then WBO super featherweight title in a unanimous decision victory over Juan Carlos Burgos on Jan. 25, 2016, he doesn’t think that ring rust will be a bother. He said that he has been routinely sparring and staying in shape.
“I don’t believe there will be ring rust because I was never really outside of the ring,” Garcia said. “I’ve been in the gym the whole time, sparring and training. I would spar 10 or 12 rounds just to do it, not because I had a fight but just to keep me active. I know it seems like a long time but I don’t really see it. I feel like I was gone six months.”
The 28-year-old said that his ultimate goal is to go for a world title at 135 lbs., but said that he is not looking past Rojas (23-2, 14 KOs). Garcia said that he respects Rojas’ skill set, but maintains that his power will ultimately be the difference and beat Rojas.
“He’s a good fighter with a lot of experience,” Garcia said. “He can definitely box and has a good right hand. He lost his title to a great champion. He’s very skilled and experienced. I’m a well-rounded fighter. I can adjust to just about any style. I get a lot of diverse sparring so that I can adjust to anything Rojas might bring. Training camp has been going very well and I think it’s going to be a good night for me.
By Carlos Toro
