Broner vs. Garcia: Who wants it more?

Boxing is making a comeback in 2017 and July’s anticipated clash between former four-division champion Adrien Broner and lightweight titleholder Mikey Garcia is no exception. As of late, Broner (33-2, 24 KO’s) has been making headlines. Unfortunately, it has been more on the street than the ring.

Although he beat a tough contender in Adrian Granados (18-5-2, 12 KO’s) in February, Broner was arrested in April on an open warrant after the SUV he was driving was found riddled with bullet holes, and was later sentenced on a contempt of court charge after failing to make multiple court appearances.

Garcia has also had his troubles outside the ring. However, unlike his opponent, it was not with the law – it was a promotional dispute. The 29-year-old Garcia (36-0, 30 KO’s) sued his former promoter Top Rank in 2014 to get out of his agreement. Instead, he was forced to take an unplanned hiatus. Garcia made his return to the ring last July against Elio Rojas, knocking down the Dominican fighter en route to a fifth-round TKO. Then, he completely dismantled then-WBC lightweight titleholder Dejan Zlatičanin by third-round KO.

Broner has skills and has shown to be quite the versatile boxer. However, it has been at least two years since he has shared the ring with a fighter who comes at his opponents with the kind of ferocity like Mikey Garcia, and with a good record to go with it. That is Shawn Porter. Of course, Broner was outclassed in nearly every round, with the exception a flash knockdown scored at the beginning of the 12th.

Albeit he is only 27 years of age, July could be the last stand for Broner. On the other token, we must respect Broner because he is still undefeated at 140 pounds.

Garcia is not an athletic kind of boxer. Instead, he relies on the fundamentals, and has a deadly combination of timing and power, especially in his right hand. Broner likes to dictate the pace from the outside. However, in the Granados fight, he suffered a hand injury, and thus was unable to use his jab, forcing him to tread into Granados territory on the inside, and took some leather in the process.

The first couple of rounds are going to be tentative and understandably so. However, as aforementioned, Garcia’s timing and power are one of his best tools, and that will ultimately be what determines how this fight will end.

Broner is going to put up a good fight, but his aggressiveness will eventually get the best of him as Garcia will lure him into his trap and beat him down with crisp straight right hands, counter shots, and uppercuts.

Prediction: Garcia by 10th round KO