Fight Preview: Sergey Lipinets vs. Mikey Garcia

Sergey Lipinets (13-0, 10 KO’s) defends his IBF 140-pound title against Mikey Garcia (37-0, 30 KO’s), Saturday night in San Antonio, Texas. Lipinets won the title courtesy of a unanimous decision over Akihiro Kondo back in November.

Mikey Garcia has previously held the title in the Featherweight, Super Featherweight and Lightweight divisions, and is coming off a dominate performance over Adrien Broner, his first fight in the 140-pound division.

Most boxing pundits consider Mikey Garcia one of the best boxers in the world. The fact that he is fighting for his fourth world title supports this claim. Sergey Lipinets is a well-rounded pugilist, who is much more than a tough guy inside the squared circle. This fight promises to provide boxing fans with plenty of thrilling action. Let’s break it down.

Sergey Lipinets:

The Pros: A well-rounded boxer with an Eastern European background. Accurate puncher who does not waste a lot of energy. Showcases good lateral movement and is comfortable as an aggressor. Goes to the body well with jabs and hooks, and is well-versed in setting up fighters for punchers. Mean left hook that comes off the jab well. Battled tested. Has showed us that the sight of his own blood is not a deterrent.

The Cons: Has a decent defense, but is vulnerable to a jab, as well as a classic one-two. Only 13 professional fights, a major disadvantage against a fighter such as Garcia. Better fighter at range than in close, a major weakness in this fight if Mikey choses to expose it. Has had significant cuts in fights.

Mikey Garcia:

The Pros: Always in great position and throws every punch in a correct and accurate manner. Power in both hands. A master at cutting off the ring. Great inside fighter who can find the body and is lethal in both hands. A ton of experience and has lost very few rounds a professional.

The Cons: May be looking past Sergey, as talks of big money fights seem to occupy the narrative much more than this fight. Tends to fight in spurts and takes time off during rounds. Might have left his power at the lighter weights, despite dominating Broner, he never had him in down or in serious trouble.

Mikey Garcia is a heavy favorite, as well as he should be. There is very little he does wrong in the ring and has been on a roll since his return from his legal battle

With that said, I give Lipinets a better chance than many to win this fight. He is by far the best fighter Mikey has faced in a while. Sergey is the natural 140-pound guy.

So, even though Tony Luis, the WBA-NABA Lightweight Champion, recently pointed out, Garcia is a “big, thick, guy”, Sergey should have the strength advantage.

If Sergey can touch Mikey’s body early, I can see him setting up, and hurting, Garcia with his left hook in the middle/late rounds. Sergey slips punches better than he gets credit for and is a better offensive fighter at distance, a perfect remedy for landing a punch your opponent does not see coming.