On Saturday, February 29, it is a battle of welterweights, as Mikey Garcia takes on Jessie Vargas in Frisco, Texas in a fight that can be seen on DAZN. Garcia enters this fight with a record of 39-1 with 30 knockouts and coming off the only loss of his career as he was beaten by Errol Spence Jr. for the IBF welterweight title in March of last year. Vargas is 29-2-2 with 11 knockouts and coming off a win over Humberto Soto last April. Let’s look at the bout and boxing picks.
Mikey Garcia -750
Jessie Vegas +479
Over/Under Rounds: Check Back Later
Mikey Garcia (39-1, 30 knockouts)
In his last five fights Garcia is 4-1. He lost to Errol Spence Jr. by unanimous decision in March of last year, defeated Robert Easter Jr. by unanimous decision in July of 2018, defeated Sergey Lipinets by unanimous decision in March of 2018, defeated Adrien Broner by unanimous decision in July of 2017 and won by 3rd round knockout against Dejan Zlaticanin in January of 2017. Garcia gets a knockout win 76% of the time.
Garcia has said that he will be staying at welterweight and not dropping back down in weight. “I think that there’s a lot more that I can do at 147lbs,” said Garcia to the media, “The Spence fight was not a representation of that, it wasn’t my night and not the fight that I wanted to fight, I just couldn’t perform and once in a while you have an off night and it happened to be that night for me. I need to show my fans and the boxing world that I can do a lot more, even at 147lbs.”
Garcia wants to win another world title in a different division. “A world title in a fifth division is very exciting.” Garcia said to the media, “I would love to fight for a title again at 147lbs, claiming a world title in a fifth division would be amazing and that’s why I am staying at 147, but there are other motivations for me in the sport, I’m not done, there’s a lot more to accomplish. After this fight I’ll look at options at 147lbs and 140lbs, I’m not stuck at either weight, I’m keeping my options open.”
Jessie Vargas (29-2-2, 11 knockouts)
In his last fight fights, Vargas is 2-1-2. He won by 6th round TKO against Humberto Soto in April of last year, fought to a split decision against Thomas Dulorme in October of 2018, fought to a majority draw against Adrien Broner in April of 2018, defeated Aaron Herrera by unanimous decision in December of 2017 and lost to Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision in November of 2016. Vargas gets a knockout win 37% of the time.
Vargas said that his speed will be a big key for him in this fight against Garcia. “My technique and speed is going to be a key factor and benefit for me. I feel that I’m the faster fighter, and I have to use that to my advantage,” Vargas said to the media. He also said his size will be a factor. “I have to make sure to use my size advantage … I have to make sure to fight my fight and not pay attention to how other fighters fought him. Styles make fights, but I will look at some tape to capitalize on his mistakes.”
Boxing Picks
The price on Garcia seems really high, considering Vargas is not just some run of the mill fighter. The problem with taking Vargas is that he hasn’t beaten someone of the caliber of Garcia. The weight is an interesting factor in this fight, as Garcia is much better prepared for welterweight this time around. I think Garcia will win this fight, but I am not laying the big price. I will instead take the rounds to go over the total.
Boxing Pick: Garcia by unanimous decision and the rounds to go over the total
With the boxing odds at BookMaker Sportsbook, you can bet on boxing all year, from smaller cards to pay-per-view events. Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook. Garcia vs. Vargas will take place at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Saturday, February 29th and can be seen on DAZN.
