Former four-division champion Mikey Garcia 40-2 (30) believes he deserved the victory over Sandor Martin 39-2 (13) but admits the fight was close.
Garcia lost a majority decision to Spanish southpaw Martin by scores of 95-95 and 97-93 twice in their 10 round bout at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, California on Saturday night.
The 33-year-old Californian pressed the action but was largely unable to mount and sustainable offence. Martin boxed confidently off the back foot, countering Garcia often when he was able to close the distance.
The result was a huge boilover with the fight largely seen as a tune-up for Garcia, who was eyeing off a fight against former WBA junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis 26-1 (22).
“I thought it was a good fight, you know, he fought a very good fight, he was boxing,” Garcia said. “I thought I did what was necessary, to close the gap, putting the pressure, looking for the fight. He was the one moving around, running around a lot.
“He was able to counter a few times but I was the one actively looking for the fight. I thought I was ahead on the cards. You know, it is what it is. There’s three judges and they decided he was the one winning the fight.
“I’m not bruised up. He didn’t put a beating on me but it was a good, competitive fight. I thought I was winning the fight in a close matchup but, like I said, the judges saw it the other way around.
“I knew he was a very good boxer. I’ve seen some of these films and I know he can box. That’s why I kept being the aggressor coming forward. But I couldn’t be reckless either because he was looking for those counters.
“I still thought I did enough to win the rounds being that I was the aggressor looking for the fight. He kept moving around using the ring. The judges this time thought that he was the one in control when I felt I was the one in control.”
Garcia looked sluggish and started slow allowing Martin to build up an early lead. By the time Garcia put his foot down in the later rounds there simply wasn’t enough time to win baring a knockout.
It was Garcia first bout since he outpointed Jessie Vargas 29-3-2 (11) in February last year and ring rust could have played a part in the loss.
Garcia said he would like a chance to avenge his loss in a 12-round bout.
“I can definitely consider a rematch,” he said. “I think two more rounds will probably be more beneficial. I thought I was coming on a little bit better in the later rounds, but there’s no excuses. That’s the way it is.”
