Mikey Garcia vs Juan Carlos Burgos Preview

By Peter Wells:


Garcia (left) dominates Rocky Martinez

For the first time in 2014, Golden Boy and Top Rank will go head to head as their two shows clash on Saturday 25th January, with both featuring enjoyable fights. Lamont Peterson returns to defend his IBF Light Welterweight title against Dierry Jean on Showtime with Jermell Charlo facing his toughest challenge to date in former world title challenger Gabriel Rosado. On HBO Mikey Garcia continues to rise through the pound-for-pound rankings when taking on exciting Juan Carlos Burgos with an entertaining Heavyweight feature bout between Bryant Jennings and Artur Szpilka. Both cards will also display their respective rising stars.

Whichever card you choose to watch live, you are sure to be entertained, but also disappointed that you missed the other card, well thank goodness for recorders!

At the Madison Square Garden Theatre, home to the underperforming New York Knicks and a sacred home of boxing greats, Mikey Garcia 33-0(28) will put his unbeaten record and WBO Super Featherweight title on the line against Mexican Juan Carlos Burgos 30-1-2(20).


Burgos (right) feels unlucky to only draw against Rocky Martinez

While Burgos does not bring the name value to the table, the 26 year old is an experienced world title fighter. His only loss came on points in 2010 against Japanese star Hozumi Hasegawa when challenging for the vacant WBC Featherweight title. Having snatched Luis Cruz's unbeaten record via majority decision he survived a knockdown to defend his WBC Silver Super Featherweight title against Cristobal Cruz on points. Then an impressive 3rd round stoppage of rising star Cesar Vazquez afforded Burgos a 2nd world title crack, this time he was unlucky not to take the WBO Super Featherweight title from Rocky Martinez in an exciting 12 round draw. That was followed up by a far less impressive performance, drawing with unknown Yakubu Amidu.

Although his experience will count for something his offensive style which often leads to a sometimes leaky defence won't, especially against a solid counter-puncher with highly rated power. Garcia has proven such precise, hard punching against Bernabe Concepcion (TKO 7), Jonathan Victor Barros (TKO 8), Orlando Salido (TD 8), Juan Manuel Lopez (TKO 4) and Rocky Martinez (KO 8). It's no wonder that many are rating the 26 year old brother of trainer Robert Garcia so highly.



Jennings (right) uses his 84inch wingspan to full effect

Burgos will find it hard to find a rhythm throughout the fight, and while I'd love to envision a nip-and-tuck war, it's hard to see it going any other way apart from an enjoyable but one-sided affair. Garcia can stop Burgos in 10 rounds, further enhancing the talent at the disposal of this California boxer.

On a rich undercard, Bryant Jennings 17-0(9) will try to fight his way in line as the next American Heavyweight hope when he faces unbeaten Pole Artur Szpilka 16-0(12) over 10 rounds.

Szpilka was involved in 2 bloodbaths last year when twice cutting up and stopping tough American Mike Mollo in 6 and 5 rounds respectively. In his 11 rounds with Mollo, the 24 year old Szpilka hit the canvas 3 times, highlighting his defensive weaknesses.



Felix Verdejo is making waves across the boxing world

Jennings will also be taking a step-up in class but with an 84 inch reach the American can force Szpilka into many risky lunges that can be easily countered. Jennings' toughness will be tested to the brink, but if he passes in that department he can remain unbeaten with the cleaner work, but only narrowly against the hard working underdog.

Also featuring on the card is Light Heavyweight Sean Monaghan 19-0(12) vs warhorse Matt Vanda 45-15(25), exciting Puerto Rican prospect Felix Verdejo 9-0(6) vs Lauro Alcantar 8-0(1), while Jesse Hart 11-0(10) continues his climb against Derrick Findley 20-11-1(13).