Mikey Garcia is “The Solution.”
Adrien Broner once again wilted under the bright lights, getting absolutely dominated by Garcia, losing in a unanimous decision in the Barclays Center.
Post-fight, Broner gave credit where it was due to Garcia, but still patted himself on the back to Showtime’s Jim Gray.
Garcia fought an absolute technical masterpiece, adapting to Broner’s ever move: He went inside, he fought from a distance, had perfect footwork, popped the jab. It was a boxing clinic. Not bad for Garcia’s first bout at 140 pounds. As for what’s next:
What’s next for Broner? Uncertainty, for sure: While Broner’s resumé speaks for itself historically, he’ll likely be known as the one boxer who could never win “the big one.”
And that’s the real problem for Broner.
Sporting News had the fight scored 117-111 in favor of Garcia. Here’s how the fight shook out.
Mikey Garcia defeats Adrien Broner, unanimous decision
10:54 p.m.: The judges got it right. One 117-111, two 116-112 in favor of of Garcia. WBC Diamond belt owner. A technical masterpiece.
10:06 p.m. Round 1 to Broner (10-9; 1-0 Broner): Broner was much busier in the round, though they were both feeling each other out. Broner is moving a lot, very light on his feet, landed a few jabs in the round, but Broner looks quick.
10:10 p.m.: Round 2 to Garcia (10-9; 1-1 all): The round could have gone either way, but Garcia got a little busier in the body in the closing stages of the round. He landed a stiff, stiff right to Broner’s body with about 30 seconds left.
10:15 p.m.: Round 3 to Garcia (10-9; 2-1 Garcia): Garcia is technically sound. He landed a big left hook on a ducking Broner, and later had Broner against the ropes and landed a few shots. Pretty easy round win for Garcia.
10:19 p.m.: Round 4 to Garcia (10-9; 3-1 Garcia): Garcia is finding the perfect range for his shots as Broner isn’t moving as much. Broner is finding himself in trouble against the ropes often. He’s trying to bait Garcia into a big counterpunch, but it’s not happening.
10:23 p.m.: Round 5 to Garcia (10-9; 4-1 Garcia): That was a close round to call, but Garcia was landing some combinations in the final minute and that put him over the top. Broner keeps moving back, hoping for the counterpunch, and he’s not moving as much.
10:27 p.m.: Round 6 to Garcia (10-9; 5-1 Garcia): Man, this fight isn’t close in my eyes. Garcia keeps popping together some jabs and is working the body pretty well. Broner needs to get on the aggressive; he’s getting painfully outworked by Garcia.
10:31 p.m.: Round 7 to Garcia (10-9; 6-1 Garcia): Steve Farhood said this was a pretty easy fight to score, and he’s right. He gave only the first round to Broner. This fight hasn’t been close at all, even if Broner is a second-half fighter, Garcia is out-working Broner, picking his spots perfectly. Broner looks lost.
10:35 p.m.: Round 8 to Garcia (10-9; 7-1 Garcia): Broner started fighting a bit more inside, and it seemed to be a little bit effective, but it was only for about 10 seconds near the end of the round. Garcia keeps switching it up between upstairs combos and working the body. Barring a knockout, this is Garcia’s to lose.
10:39 p.m.: Round 9 to Garcia (10-9, 8-1 Garcia): Man, Broner is starting to get busier, but Garcia is there to double up and out-work him still. Broner landed a couple of low blows that Dock missed, too. Still, Garcia is mastering this fight.
10:43 p.m.: Round 10 to Broner (10-9; 8-2 Garcia): Farhood gave Broner Round 9, but I’m going to give Broner Round 10. Broner is starting to actually go for it, landing a big left hook that Garcia shook off. He’s picking up the pace again, but needs the knockout.
10:47 p.m.: Round 11 to Garcia (10-9, 9-2 Garcia): Garcia works the body again a bit in this round and proves to be the difference. Broner is pushing forward but not actually throwing, relying again on the counterpunch. Garcia is staying disciplined and within himself. We go to the 12th.
0:51 p.m.: Round 12 to Broner (10-9, 9-3 Garcia): Broner went for the knockout a few times and landed some pretty nasty power punches. Garcia took it, and it looks like Garcia is taking the fight. Final Sporting News tally: 117-111 Garcia.
