IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr. and WBC lightweight champion Mikey Garcia have a big unification fight coming up on Saturday night at Staples Center. However, it seems we have been hearing more about Garcia’s desire to fight IBF welterweight champion, Errol Spence Jr., than his opponent Easter.
Is Easter(21-0, 14 KOs) being overlooked? It’s something the 27-year-old has not even thought about.
“I really don’t pay attention to being ‘overlooked’ or what my opponents say leading up to a fight,” Easter said on Thursday. “On July 28, we still have to get in there and throw these hands. Nothing said by him or anyone outside bothers me at all.
“The only big name Mikey Garcia has beaten is Adrien Broner. I’m going to give him problems. I believe with our skills and record, the winner of this fight is the best fighter in the weight class.”
Garcia(38-0, 30 KOs), who is a four-division champion, is recognized as one of the pound-for-pound best in the sport, so a victory for Easter, would do wonders for his career.
“This can add big attention to my career. It can help me get the recognition that I deserve,” Easter said. “I look at all my fights like a big fight, but obviously this is unification. You will see two warriors in there on Saturday.”
This is a massive fight for Easter. Not many believe he can beat Garcia on Saturday night, but the Toldeo, OH native is very confident that he can get the job done.
“Being the underdog is what it is. Only one of us can be the favorite,” Easter explained. “We did what we had to do to prepare for this fight, and on July 28 you’ll see it all in action.”
The three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) will include Cuban heavyweight slugger Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz and former title challenger Razvan Cojanu, who meet in a 10-round bout plus unbeaten super lightweight contenderMario “El Azteca” Barrios and hard-hitting Jose Roman, who compete in a 10-round showdown.