Brothers in Arms: Mikey Garcia steps in the limelight with brother Robert Garcia in his corner
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 26 Mar 2011
ATLANTIC CITY -- When Mickey Garcia makes his entrance to the squared ring tonight in the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, he brings his family with him in the ring. Not figuratively but literally. Because in his corner will be older brother and trainer Robert Garcia who is fresh from guiding two of his boxers in Nonito Donaire and Brandon Rios in impressive wins last month.
The young Garcia will be stepping in the limelight tonight as a co-feature of HBO?s Boxing after Dark Series when he battles fellow featherweight Matt Remmilard of Connecticut in a 12 round match for the formers N.A.B.F. and N.A.B.O. belt. The match which preludes the W.B.A. featherweight championship bout of Yuriorkis Gamboa and challenger Jorge Solis will be Mikey Garcia?s first hard test as a boxer as he faces a fighter who like him sports an unblemished record in the ring. Both undefeated fighters are great prospects of the division and both are poised to steal the show tonight from the main event. The 23 year old Garcia has a record of 24-0 with 20 KO?s while his counterpart ,24 year old Remillard is 23-0 with 13 KO?s.
Robert Garcia was present in the weigh - in held at the Caesars Atlantic casino yesterday and he believes his younger brother has what it takes to come up the winner in this fight . ?We came up with a good game plan and my brother is very smart in the ring, so my brother should be able to pull this one off.? he replied when I asked him of Mikey?s chances in this fight. The fight is important to both fighters as their talents will be aired in national television tonight. It is important that both put up a good showing to catch the eyes of promoter Top Rank and H.B.O. in order to be in consideration for future fights in the talent laden division. The winner of this match has potential big fights ahead of them in either Gamboa, considering he wins his bout with Solis or W.B.O. titlist Juan Manuel Lopez, the other famous name in the division. An opportunity Mikey and Robert Garcia are looking forward to.
Mikey Garcia is favored going to this fight. He has the higher percentage of knockout delivered compared to that of Remillard?s. He also has benefited from having fought under Top Rank boxing longer than Remillard resulting in more exposures for him. Although identical in their record, the young Oxnard , California native enjoys a 3-1 odds over his opponent. But Robert Garcia thinks Mikey?s chances are as good as Remillard?s chances. ?They are both great fighters, great prospects ? he said. One thing Remillard does not have though is a red hot trainer in Robert Garcia. And with his recent victories as trainer to his wards like Donaire and Rios, Mickey sure does have the advantage with him as his coach.
Robert will not only be big brother tonight but also a teacher to Mikey. A role that cannot take one out of the other. He will be bringing with him his wisdom, technique and discipline as his trainer but will also possess the care of compassion of a brother. I asked him if there is a difference between Mikey from his other fighters, he replied ?Not really, actually my brother?s the same, they are basically all my brothers.? He added that ?Brandon Rios is like a brother to me. Nonito Donaire is like family to me. Him and his wife are really good people to me. So I feel the same with all of my brothers.? He knows that this is Mikey?s biggest fight and he will be by his side from the moment the bell rings not only because it is his job as Mikey?s trainer but mostly because he is family.
If Mikey Garcia wins tonight, not only will he be in a good position for a shot at a big fight in the division It also will add to his brother?s resume as a trainer, one that will be considered when the ? Trainer of the Year ? nominations are handed out at the end of this year. But largely, a win tonight will make Mikey Garcia a contender for a world title. Something that his older brother has won in the past as a former world lightweight champion. This early the thought of having two world champions in the family is a motivation for the two brothers to work hard in achieving that dream. A dream that Robert intents to help Mikey with both as a trainer and a brother. A dream Mikey wants to fulfill not only for himself but for Robert as well. For in boxing like in life, family counts first.
Top photo: Undefeated Featherweights #1 ranked contender Mikey Garcia (L), Oxnard, Calif. and Matt "The Sharp Shooter" Remillard, Manchester, Conn. pose overlooking the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk as they get set to do battle on Saturday, March 26, at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. This featured undercard fight on the Gamboa vs Solis card is promoted by Top Rank, in association with Arena Box and Caesars Atlantic City and will be televised on HBO's Boxing After Dark. -- Photo Credit: Chris Farina - Top Rank.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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