LONDON -- ESPN+ will stream a number of fights on June 23, one of which will be a 10-round affair with a fringe WBC middleweight title on the line. Bringing the belt to the ring will be veteran Roberto Garcia (41-3, 24 KOs), who will be challenged by Martin Murray (36-4-1, 17 KOs). Originally Martin was supposed to be challenging Billy Joe Saunders for his WBO title but Saunders pulled out of that fight with an injury. The winner of this fight could get a shot at Gennady Golovkin's WBC middleweight world title.
Garcia is an orthodox fighter who loves to come forward. He works behind a strong jab and a tight guard and even though he has been dropped numerous times during his career, he's never been stopped. Along with his jab Garcia also has a looping right hand that lands with a thud and he likes to work the body. Garcia's best attribute might be his heart. He is the type of fighter who never stops coming forward and never stops gunning for the victory, even after he's tasted the canvas.
The last time Garcia lost a fight was 2010. That loss came against Antonio Margarito before Margarito fought Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. Since that loss Garcia has gone 13-0 with three knockouts, but he's never been one to face the best of the best. Margarito is definitely the biggest name on his resume, although he does have wins over Omar Chavez and Breidis Prescott. At 38 years old though, Garcia could get old in the ring in any fight. It hasn't happened yet, but Father Time never loses.
Murray is also an orthodox fighter and although he isn't as stout as Garcia, he will hold a slight height and reach advantage. He isn't usually a busy puncher but he does have a good jab and straight right hand. When he gets inside Murray loves to bang his left hook to the body and that body work could pay dividends against the 38-year-old Garcia. Defensively, Murray is responsible and outside of his fight with Golovkin when he was dropped three times, he's never tasted the canvas.
On his resume Murray has four losses but all four losses came against top quality opponents. The four fighters to beat Murray are Sergio Martinez, Gennady Golovkin, Arthur Abraham, and George Groves. His last loss was in 2016 to Groves but he's gone 3-0 since, scoring one knockout in those three wins. What Murray lacks though is a true marquee win and although Garcia wouldn't give him that, it could give him his fifth title shot.
This should be a closely contested fight from start to finish. While Murray is more skilled, he isn't miles ahead of Garcia in that department. Neither fighter has the top of power to end a fight in a single punch but Garcia's punches probably do more damage. If Murray can keep Garcia at the end of his jab and straight right hand, while also landing plenty of left hooks when he does choose to go inside he will find success. However, if Garcia can plow forward like he usually does and make this a tough inside fight he will find plenty of success himself.
PREDICTION: While this will be a close fight, it won't be a pretty one. Martin Murray will have success in spots and put some rounds in the bank but it won't be enough. Roberto Garcia's relentless, come forward style will prevail and he will get the split decision win.
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| Garcia pounding Omar Chavez with a right hand |
The last time Garcia lost a fight was 2010. That loss came against Antonio Margarito before Margarito fought Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. Since that loss Garcia has gone 13-0 with three knockouts, but he's never been one to face the best of the best. Margarito is definitely the biggest name on his resume, although he does have wins over Omar Chavez and Breidis Prescott. At 38 years old though, Garcia could get old in the ring in any fight. It hasn't happened yet, but Father Time never loses.
Murray is also an orthodox fighter and although he isn't as stout as Garcia, he will hold a slight height and reach advantage. He isn't usually a busy puncher but he does have a good jab and straight right hand. When he gets inside Murray loves to bang his left hook to the body and that body work could pay dividends against the 38-year-old Garcia. Defensively, Murray is responsible and outside of his fight with Golovkin when he was dropped three times, he's never tasted the canvas.
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| Murray banging the body of Gabriel Rosado |
This should be a closely contested fight from start to finish. While Murray is more skilled, he isn't miles ahead of Garcia in that department. Neither fighter has the top of power to end a fight in a single punch but Garcia's punches probably do more damage. If Murray can keep Garcia at the end of his jab and straight right hand, while also landing plenty of left hooks when he does choose to go inside he will find success. However, if Garcia can plow forward like he usually does and make this a tough inside fight he will find plenty of success himself.
PREDICTION: While this will be a close fight, it won't be a pretty one. Martin Murray will have success in spots and put some rounds in the bank but it won't be enough. Roberto Garcia's relentless, come forward style will prevail and he will get the split decision win.
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