Garcia stays unbeaten

Moving up to 140 pounds, he dictates fight against Broner and wins decision.

NEW YORK — Mikey Garcia unanimously outpointed Adrien Broner on Saturday night to remain undefeated.

Garcia controlled his first fight at 140 pounds, particularly with body shots he was able to sneak in below Broner’s defense, and won 117-111 on one card and 116-112 on the other two.

A former champion in three lower weight classes, Garcia (37-0, 30 KOs) never seriously hurt Broner but dictated the action for most of the 12 rounds.

“This is definitely one of my best performances ever. I think I controlled the fight in the early rounds and I kept the activity up,” Garcia said. “He is a great fighter who has great skills. I was the superior fighter tonight.”

Broner (33-3, 24 KOs) lost a fight he probably needed to win to prove he is worthy of still being considered one of boxing’s headliners and capable of beating some of the sport’s best. It was better than some of his recent performances, but not good enough against a fighter of Garcia’s caliber.

Broner, who turned 28 on Friday, had won titles in three divisions by 23 and later added a fourth. But losses and lethargic performances, even in his wins, along with legal problems outside the ring stalled his career that once rose so rapidly.

Garcia, meanwhile, remains on a roll and continued his dominant run over the last year since returning from a 21⁄2-year layoff while he battled contractual issues. He can now weigh options that could be presented to him in multiple weight classes. He said he’d like to go back to 135 pounds in search of regaining a title, but was open to staying at 140 or even moving up to 147 if the right opportunity was available.

There was no title at stake Saturday, but it clearly was a big fight for both men. Garcia consistently backed Broner into the ropes and landed hard body shots. Broner repeatedly shook his head that none of them hurt and he fought back well, but they were enough to win the majority of the rounds.

Garcia, 29, had stopped 19 of his last 21 opponents. He had to settle for simply beating Broner, but perhaps his knockout power will return if he drops back down in weight.