THE GATEWAY TO LOMA OR LINARES?

Lipinets is standing in Garcia’s way

FOR those desperate to see MIKEY GARCIA face either Jorge Linares or Vasyl Lomachenko, the wait goes on a tad longer, as the quality Californian looks to become a four-weight world champion this Saturday (March 10) against IBF super-lightweight champ SERGEY LIPINETS [above and below,

on right] at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas (Showtime televise, while TGB Promotions stage the event).

Possessing a flawless 13-fight record, with 10 early wins, pro boxing has been fairly routine work so far for Lipinets. The Kazakh-russian’s marauding, energetic style, combined with natural power, has helped him bulldoze his way to world champion status – a tag that became official in November with a points win over Japan’s Akihiro Kondo.

Lipinets was pushed hard all the way that night, despite the clear scorecards in his favour, and demonstrated he could dig deep when necessary.

Against Garcia, however, he will have to dig even deeper. Frankly, the term ‘step up in class’ was coined for fights like this. Lipinets, despite exhibiting an entertaining mix of accuracy, pressure and devastating force so far in his career, will need the performance of his life, coupled with Garcia enduring an off day, to collect victory.

If the challenger affords Lipinets the same respect he afforded Adrien Broner in July, he’ll collect a wide points decision. But, ultimately, Garcia should hit too hard and too often and force a stoppage around the 10th.