It’s not very often that two well-regarded and unbeaten prospects collide, but that’s just what will take place on March 26 in Atlantic City. Mikey Garcia and Matt Remillard are two fighters that boxing observers have been watching. In this era of the very top-heavy featherweight division, no 126-pounder can rest on his laurels. Whoever wins this bout adds a compelling name to his resume that could lead to getting a peek at the top echelon of this competitive division. In fact, the winner will be in line to fight IBF Champion Yuriorkis Gamboa.
Date: March 26, 2011
Site: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
TV: HBO at 9:45 pm-EST
Weight Class: Featherweights: 12 Rounds
Miguel Angel Garcia, 24-0 (20 KOs), Oxnard, California
Vs.
Matt Remillard, 23-0 (13 KOs), Hartford, Connecticut
Garcia vs. Remillard Preview
Garcia and Remillard have some things in common—on paper at least. Garcia is 24-0, while Remillard is 23-0. They are close in age, had solid amateur backgrounds, and have good backing with Top Rank. Stylistically, there are not as many similarities. Garcia is a patient knockout puncher who carries his power into the late rounds. While Remillard’s punches are solid, he is more of a boxer. It’s very doubtful that he will be looking to engage Garcia in a firefight. So to some extent, the battle lines are already drawn.
Age, Physical Equipment and Amateur Background
Garcia: Has everything you’d want to see from an up-and-coming featherweight. Is only 23, while being 5’8”with a formidable 70-inch reach. Coming from a boxing-rich background, was finally pulled into the game at 14. Had a good amateur career, before turning pro at 18, winning the National Junior Golden Gloves and PAL Championships in 2004 and 2005.
Remillard: A little smaller than Garcia, but still well sized for a featherweight at 5’7” with a 70-inch reach. Is only a year older than Garcia at 24. Has a reported amateur record of 115-25, including winning the Everlast Under-19 National Amateur Championships twice.
Quality of Opposition
Garcia: Fought losing fighters and fellow neophytes for the first two years of his career, before moving up to fight quality journeymen and fringe contenders. Won by only one point on two cards against tough vet Walter Estrada in 2008. In his last four fights, defeated streaking Tomas Villa, decent Pedro Navarrete, dangerous Cornelius Lock, and 18-1-2 Olivier Lontchi. Has fought a decidedly higher caliber of opposition than Remillard.
Remillard: Best opponent so far might be journeyman Jose Hernandez, whom was defeated by Remillard in 2006. Hernandez just fought a draw in February with unbeaten Mickey Bey. The Hartford resident also has a 6-round decision over the well spent ex-108 lb. champ Mauricio Pastrana and scored two wins over previously unbeaten Rafael Lora.
Common Opponent and Previous Fight
Garcia: Riding an 8-fight unbeaten streak, common opponent Carlos Rivera was stopped by Garcia in 7 rounds in 2009. In Garcia’s last fight, he scored a dominant 5th-round stoppage over Olivier Lontchi, who had lasted 9 rounds with top featherweight Juan Manuel Lopez in his previous outing.
Remillard: Took on Carlos Rivera directly after Garcia did and bested his rival’s result with a 4th-round TKO. In his last outing, won a shutout 8-rounder over clubfighter Oscar Suero.
Questions
Garcia: Is he overrated? Is everyone focusing on Remillard jumping in class, while not acknowledging that Garcia is also probably facing his toughest test? Will he be thrown by fighting in Atlantic City, after fighting most of his fights in southwest?
Remillard: Has his relatively lax schedule properly prepared him for a test of this magnitude? Will he be able to soldier through the punishment in order for his steady attack to become a factor? Will he stay outside Garcia’s range or try to smother him? Is he facing too steep of a deficit in the talent category? Being more local, will he receive robust support from the Boardwalk Hall crowd?
Intangibles
Garcia: Sometimes when judging prospects, you go off more of a feeling. An observer is often just moved on a more visceral level. Garcia has that certain indescribable quality that screams “mega prospect.” Though only 23, his maturity defies his age. His father was a trainer who worked with superstar Fernando Vargas, among others. His older brother and trainer Roberto was a world champion and is now one of the sport’s rising young teachers. Growing up, traveled to big fights and had already seen it all before he even turned pro. Now facing big opportunities, that type of fistic education certainly doesn’t hurt.
Remillard: Not terribly flashy, but very workmanlike. Sometimes you have to keep your eye on these steady types. If his chin proves to be world-class, it could change the complexion of this fight. Could he be another Greg Haugen-type who doesn’t really dazzle, yet at the end of the day turns out to be a very good fighter? Who knows, maybe he can play Andriy Kotelnik to Garcia’s Devon Alexander. Remillard’s style might not be head-turning, but his style is obviously effective. If it translates well at this level, it might just be the antidote for Garcia. Has actually been a pro longer than Garcia. Seems very sharp mentally in the ring, an attribute that will surely be called upon in this bout. First bout under the Top Rank banner.
Garcia vs. Remillard Prediction
Sometimes, you don’t know what you have with undefeated young prospects/contenders. But we know a little more about Garcia—based on a few quality wins. Remillard is more of a question mark and what he is truly capable of is still up in the air. From a more observational point of view, however, Garcia looks to be the superior fighter.
Remillard will hold his own, but when Garcia digs in and starts firing, it will be a different story. Look for Remillard to have his moments. But by the mid-rounds, the left hooks to the body and snappy rights to the head will begin to take their toll. Garcia will patiently search for his spots and by the 9th, Remillard will be looking a bit worse for wear. Garcia will step it up and apply the finishing touches in the 10th round.
Prediction: Mikey Garcia wins by 10th-round knockout.
