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Mike CoppingerESPN
In one of the biggest boxing upsets in recent memory, Sandor Martin of Spain scored a majority decision victory over former four-division champion Mikey Garcia on Saturday in Fresno, California.
Martin (39-2, 13 KOs) had never competed on the world level before; this was his first bout outside of Europe. He was meant to be a stay busy opponent for Garcia, who hadn’t fought since February 2020 and was eyeing an early 2022 bout with Regis Prograis.
Instead, Martin, a 10-1 underdog, shocked the world over 10 rounds, prevailing via scores of 95-95, 97-93 and 97-93.
“He was the one running around a lot,” said Garcia, ESPN’s No. 8 welterweight. “I thought I was winning the fight in a close matchup.
“I thought I did enough to win the rounds. I was the aggressor looking to make the fight. There’s no excuses, that’s the way it is.”
Martin, 28, boxed off the back foot and was able to time the more aggressive Garcia with straight lefts all night.
As the rounds piled up, it became clear this wasn’t simply a fast start for the underdog against a rusty fighter, but an upset in the making.
Garcia (40-2, 30 KOs) pressed the action but showed no genuine urgency even though the fight — and perhaps his status as an elite fighter — was clearly slipping away.
Martin was picked to be an opponent for Garcia who would give him rounds but not be a threat to win. But Martin had other ideas in his first fight against world-class competition.
“He’s a legend, it was a pleasure to share the ring with him,” said Martin in Spanish through an interpreter. “It’s the best moment of my career. I always said I was going to do it and I did it.
“I know myself; I know my capability. He’s a complete boxer but he’s not a natural 147-pounder.”
Garcia, a native of Southern California, captured…
Source : espn
