Former four-division world champion Mikey Garcia 40-2 (30) is unfazed by his shock loss to little-known Spanish southpaw Sandor Martin 39-2 (13) at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, California last Saturday night.
The 28-year-old Martin widely outboxed Garcia, 33, in their 10-round 144-pound catchweight bout to win a majority decision by scores of 97-93, 97-93 and 95-95.
Garcia, whose only previously loss was to current WBC and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr 27-0 (21), has taken the loss on the chin.
“It’s not the end of the world. It’s not the end of my career,” Garcia told ESNews. “People might think a loss is such a big deal, and going into depression. No, I’m not. I’m jumping right back in it.
“I’m not worried about it… [A loss] is nothing. It’s part of boxing. It happens. People take losses in other areas in life. You can’t let a loss keep you down. Get the fuck up. Move on. Leave it behind you. Go forward.
“You can’t be dwelling on the past. You get all depressed and shit. You have to keep moving forward to what’s next. That’s how I see it. It’s part of the sport. No big deal. It’s not the first time I lost. I lost 12 times as an amateur. Who gives a fuck? Does anybody talk about that? Who cares? Move on.”
Garcia was having his first fight since February last year when he defeated Jessie Vargas on points. He looked sluggish against Martin and failed to get his offence going while the underdog boxed superbly to slip Garcia’s lunging attacks and pick him off with stinging counter shots.
There wasn’t a lot punches landed in the bout – just 75 for Martin and 60 for Garcia according to CompuBox – but it was clear that Martin was in control on the action and showed the better ring generalship and defence.
Garcia was hoping to move directly into a fight against former WBA junior welterweight champion Regis Progrias 26-1 (22) next but now those plans have gone up in smoke. Where he goes to from here is anyone’s guess.
Garcia has had long layoffs before. Five years ago he returned from two-and-a-half years on the sidelines following a contract disputed with his then-promoter Top Rank.
“Coming back I was hungrier than before [the contract issues]. It’s weird how things happen,” said Garcia. “[The Martin loss] is actually more motivating now. I feel a little bit more fire than before.
“My perspective is different. Boxing has changed a little bit where people think you’re done after one loss. All the great fighters eventually take losses.
“As long as I’m healthy and I’m not absorbing any punishment and having physical trouble or able to live life and enjoy, that’s different. Of course, nobody likes to lose. But you have to accept it. It’s part of life.”
