Sandor Martin scores stunning upset of former four-division champion Mikey Garcia

In the end, the scorecards read 95-95 and 97-93 twice, awarding Sandor Martin the majority decision victory over Garcia.

Sandor Martin caused one of the biggest upsets of recent times, Image credit: Twitter
By Amruth Kalidas | Oct 17, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Mikey Garcia made his way to the ring on Saturday night in Fresno, California, riding on a flatbed trailer as fireworks shot off around the arena. Unfortunately for Garcia, he was unable to produce any fireworks in the ring, dropping a decision to unheralded Sandor Martin in an upset that ranks among the biggest in recent memory.

Garcia’s footwork was slow as Martin made good on pre-fight talk that he would take away Garcias’s normally effective aggression. Martin slid along the outside of the ring, popping off quick punches, including repeatedly connecting with a hard overhand left.

SANDOR MARTIN SHOWED WHAT HE IS CAPABLE OF

By the late rounds of the 10-round fight, Garcia seemed hesitant to come forward, potentially worried about the speed and clean punching from the Spaniard as the Fresno crowd’s enthusiasm drained.

Martin was the fresher fighter at the final bell, even winning one of the first true wild exchanges of power shots along the ropes in the final seconds of the fight.

Boxing judges often turn in scorecards that seem out of line with what all other observers witnessed, lending tension to the reading of the totals. In the end, the scorecards read 95-95 and 97-93 twice, awarding Martin the majority decision victory.

“I know myself and I know my capabilities,” Martin said after his victory. “I’ve been doing it since I was five years old. I said I was going to come out and beat the best in the world and that’s what I’ve done.”

All but two of Martin’s fights have taken place inside his native Spain, with Saturday marking his first trip to North America. He is now riding a 10-fight winning streak. 

“I thought it was a good fight,” Garcia said after the loss. “He fought a very good fight with his boxing. I thought I was doing what was necessary to close the gap. … I was the one looking for the fight and thought I was ahead on the cards.”

Garcia suffered only the second loss of his professional career, having lost to Errol Spence Jr. in 2019. 

RYAN GARCIA AND JOSEPH DIAZ SET FOR NOV. 27

Ryan Garcia is ready to end his break from the boxing ring as the rising lightweight star has agreed to a fight with Joseph Diaz Jr. The fight, scheduled for November 27 in Los Angeles, was confirmed to ESPN by both fighters.

Garcia started his 2021 campaign with a thrilling win over Luke Campbell to win the WBC interim lightweight title, getting up off the canvas after a crushing shot to score a seventh-round TKO with a body shot. The win over Campbell answered many questions about Garcia, who has battled some doubt from fans over his status as a social media influencer. After the gritty performance, Garcia was set to face Javier Fortuna in a WBC-ordered bout on July 9 but withdrew to address struggles with mental health issues.

The Fortuna fight came about after Garcia talked up a fight with Gervonta Davis and was in discussions for a fight with Manny Pacquiao. Diaz stepped in to fight Fortuna in July, the fight serving as Diaz’s first at lightweight. Diaz picked up an impressive decision win, looking healthy at the new weight.

Diaz has criticized Garcia in the past, one of many to suggest that Garcia is more hype than reality. He doubled down on those thoughts after the fight was announced.

“I’m stopping him and ending the hype train once and for all,” Diaz said. “I’m gonna take it to him. Everything I’ve been through in and out the ring will be shown that night. He’s finally in with a live dog.”